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14
Health of the District.
The death rates continue abnormally low, and there
fore satisfactory. The season, although most uncomfortably
wet, has been mild, owing to this the mortality from chest
complaints, which is usually at this time of year about 6
per thousand has sunk to 4, the rate for tubercle is also
nearly 1 per thousand lower than usual. Seasonal influences
afford, however, no explanation of the small incidence of the
infectious or notifiable diseases, all of which are remarkably
low.
Free Sanitary Conveniences for Women.
In this district, in the Metropolis generally, and in all
large cities there is a considerable roving population of the
poorest class of women. These women, driven by urgent
and natural necessity, foul various dark corners, badly-lit
archways, and secluded spots generally. The only practical
abatement and remedy for such continual nuisances is the
construction of free conveniences for women, with proper
supervision and public notices in the chief thoroughfares
denoting their position. The writer is satisfied that the
main bulk of these persons have no definite place of abode,
hence it is a question whether the establishment and maintenance
of such places should not be undertaken by the
Central rather than the Local Authorities.
At almost each meeting of the Public Health Committee
nuisances are reported of the nature referred to, and the
Committee have hitherto been unable to deal with the
matter effectually.