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account of vermin. It was necessary to destroy 2 beds and 9½ palliasses which were
so torn and contaminated as to render it inadvisable to return them. These were
replaced with new. No complaints were received in respect to the measures taken.
THE SHELTER.
The Shelter was in use on four occasions during the year: by a family of three
persons on account of vermin on February 4th, whilst dwelling and clothing were
being disinfected; on March 2nd by two persons for one night, on March 9th by two
persons for one day, and on March 12th by one person for a night, all three occasions
on account of disinfection for small pox.
THE PUBLIC MORTUARY.
The bodies of 379 persons who died during the year were received into the
public mortuary, as compared with 382 in 1910, 392 in 1909, 367 in 1908, 349 in 1907,
405 in 1906, 417 in 1905, and 460 in 1904. In one instance only was the body of a
person dead of infectious disease removed to the mortuary by the Sanitary Authority.
The number of infectious bodies so removed has averaged three annually during the
eight years ending 1911. Special arrangements are made for the reception of such
bodies.
The inquests numbered 303, as compared with 322 in 1910, 317 in 1909, 302 in
1908, 298 in 1907, 295 in 1906, 290 in 1905, and 336 in 1904. The post mortem
examinations at the post mortem room attached to the mortuary numbered 226,
as compared with 214 in 1910, 241 in 1909, 208 in 1908, 229 in 1907, 226 in 1906,
223 in 1905, and 251 in 1904. The figures for years previous to 1904 are contained in
the report for 1903.
WATER SUPPLY.
The rainfall for the year measured at Oxford amounted to 21.165 inches. Taking
the mean fall for 35 years there was a deficiency of approximately 4 6 inches. Most rain
fell during the last quarter of the year, the rainfall for that period amounting to
9.892 inches. The wettest month was December when 5.0 inches were recorded. Least
rain fell in July, when only 0.422 of an inch was measured. The general rainfall in
the Thames Valley above Teddington amounted to 26.02 inches, and in the Lee Valley
24.13 inches (Dr. Mills' Returns).
In accordance with Section 49 of the Public Health (London) Act, 1891, communications
were received from the Metropolitan Water Board as to water supplies
being cut off in respect to 80 premises, as compared with 82 in 1910, 83 in 1909,
65 in 1908, and 113 in 1907. Of these 48 were in the New River District and 33 in the