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7
Cholera 366
Cholcraic Diarrhœa 822
Diarrhœa 16,345
Total 17,533
Deaths 104
Three men were engaged, one at each Dispensary, under the direction
of the Medical staff, to wash down and disinfect closets and drains; this
was done in every house where a case of Cholera was known to have
occurred. The courts and alleys were well flushed two or three times a
week.
When a death was reported, the house was visited by me, and every
infected article to which the process of disinfection could not be applied,
was destroyed by my order, and replaced by the Vestry.
Infected beds, &c., were removed in a cart kept for that purpose, and
burnt at dusk by a person specially appointed. Arrangements were
made with Mr. Martin, 78, High Street, Hoxton, for the speedy burial
of the dead; and with the Great Northern Cemetery Company for their
interment.
For the immediate knowledge of where a death had taken place, I
have to thank the Registrars, Messrs. Murray, Brad brook, Ashford, and
East, to whom were supplied stamped envelopes and forms, which, on
the registration of a death, they at once filled up and sent to me without
fee or reward. The good effect of this is incalculable, as I often
obtained knowledge of a death a few hours after it had taken place, (at
least twenty-four hours before it appeared in the Daily Returns), and I
was able to take measures promptly and effectively against the spread
of the disease.
In addition to the two ordinary Sanitary Inspectors a third was
appointed, who has been retained ever since; and a Clerk was employed to
write notices. Forms, ordering the cleansing and disinfection of
premises, were carried by the Inspectors, which, in cases of Cholera,
were served forthwith; if this notice was not attended to, a summons
was issued without delay.
The Privy Council required a weekly return of the number of attacks
from Cholera and Diarrhoea, the recoveries, and deaths. Such a return it
was difficult to furnish, as no report was made to me by the District
Medical Officers with the exception of Drs. Smart and Welch. With the
reports received from these gentlemen, (to whom I owe my best thanks),