View report page

9
maintenance of health by the beneficent agency of
preventive medicine.
Neither is it of slight moment, that the mechanical
appliances of sanitary improvement are at
length being warmly discussed by the persons best
able to perfect them; and that already, in consequence
of such agitation, the means of warming, of
ventilation and of drainage, are daily becoming
easier of use, cheaper of purchase, more effective
of construction. It is a hard struggle, when
Science seeks to innovate on the traditions of trade,
involved in such questions as these, and to stir the
passiveness of common life from its acquiescence in
existing evils: but your officers are not likely to
overlook the increased facilities now open to them,
in respect of various works which they must execute
or enforce; and increased experience in itself will
ever be rendering more effective both their exertions
and your own.
Legislative changes too have contributed, in fact
or in germ, towards the result which I anticipate.
The amended Nuisances Removal Act will very
usefully concur with your older sanitary powers;
for under its enactments your Officer of Health
will possess means, which I wish had fallen to my
lot, for enforcing the necessary ventilation of