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Report of Medical Officer of Health.
TO THE VESTRY OF ST. LEONARD'S, SHOREDITCH.
GENTLEMEN,
In drawing up a preliminary report, I shall keep steadily in view—
1. The great end for which your Medical Officer of Health has been appointed.
2. The means that are placed within his power, and the measures that ought to be
pursued in order to aid him in the attainment of that end.
The provision for the appointment of a Medical Officer of Health indicates clearly,
that the Vestries and District Boards, elected under the Metropolis Local Management Act,
are charged not only with the general care of the property of the ratepayers, but also with
the care of preserving the health of the inhabitants.
It is impossible to call into action such a well-devised sanitary administration as will
effect material diminution in the rate of sickness and mortality in a district, which will not
pari passu increase the value of the property, and lessen the burdens upon it. To
communities, as well as to individuals, there is nothing so expensive, so fatal to prosperity,
as sickness. To a productive and labouring community, such as that of Shoreditch, health
is the chief estate. If we observe the analogy that exists between the welfare of an
individual and the welfare of a community—and the analogy is so true that it is the basis
of all sound political economy and good government—do we not find that in the case of
sickness in an individual, if one organ is diseased, increased labour is thrown upon the
rest, that the functions of all are disturbed and weakened, and that the whole system
suffers A community is but a system of individuals; if, therefore, one portion of that
system be disabled by sickness, every other portion will feel the blow; the whole community
will be taxed to support that part which is rendered incapable of supporting itself.
It is then a plain matter of self-interest, as well as a solemn obligation, to exercise the
most vigilant care in preserving to the poor their only worldly possession—their health and
capacity for self-support.
It is to advise and assist the Vestry in this vitally important duty that the Medical
Officer of Health is appointed.