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44
am able to speak with much satisfaction of the results which
have followed from the more frequent inspection of tenemented
houses. From the year 1874 up to the present time a record
has been kept of the number of houses inspected, and of the
orders made for their improvement. The average number of
houses inspected during the years 1874 to 1880 inclusive is
2546, while 1184 notices have on the average been served for
the abatement of nuisances. During 1881 the number of
houses inspected amounted to 6687, and the number of notices
served was 2469, being more than twice as many as in past
years. Table xi. shows the defects which have been
remedied: thus, 1556 houses have been cleansed, and 2992
defects relating to drainage or water supply have been
amended. In addition to this the Vestry have removed
nearly 850 cases of infectious diseases to hospital, and have
disinfected 872 houses in which infectious disease had
occurred. Cowsheds and slaughter-houses have been regularly
inspected, and a considerable amount of work done in relation
to nuisances of a miscellaneous kind.
It is by constant inspection that the Vestry can best do its
duty in preserving the lives and the health of its parishioners.
For by teaching the poor the advantages of cleanliness
and decency they will learn to regard these as
necessaries of life, and in time become able to take care of
their own interest in this respect. Nor are life and health
only affected by the action of the Sanitary Authority, for
nothing is more calculated to raise the moral tone of a people
than an inprovement of the habitations in which they dwell.
Efforts and increased efforts should still be made by the
Sanitary Authority to carry out in the best way the very
responsible duties which devolve upon them, and as guardians
of the public health and the public purse they may feel sure
that the best economy is that which preserves the inhabitants
of their district from sickness and death.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
SHIRLEY F. MURPHY,
Medical Officer of Health.