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16
Gentlemen, our future is bright; our death rate last year
was but 19 per 1000,—2 only beyond the normal or Lewisham
rate, and we have still many foes to combat. Is it not then
possible, and may we not hope to descend 2 more—to 17 per
1000, "the zero" of the death scale of Dr. Farr? May we
not, too, expect that as in Wellington Street, Old Ford Lane,
where, Fever in 1852, caused 11 preventible deaths, and
sanatory measures arrested its march, so, that in all Bethnal
Green, when likewise improved, the scythe of death will be
stayed? This year, your four grand Sewerage Works will, in
those favoured districts, prevent Fever, even as Vaccination
protects from Small Pox. In another year we shall have
constant, exhaustless water supply, and ere many more years
elapse, the Great Middle Sewer will tunnel under our road,
and purify much of the surrounding subsoil. So, works still
progressing—Pestilence will not long "stalk in darkness''
among us, nor, like the fabled Atropos, cut short life's
threads ! Be it our pleasing task to labour on in the field,
to further the health, and to lengthen the lives of some of the
100,000 people of Bethnal Green. And assuredly, no pursuit
can be purer, nothing more Godlike than to give health
to man* !
I have the honour to be
Gentlemen,
With great respect,
Very faithfully your's,
SAMUEL PEARCE.
To the Gentlemen of the
Vestry of Bethnal Green.
• "Homines enim ad Dcos nulla re proprius accedunt quam salutem
hominibus dando."