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GENERAL REPORT.
One of the duties of Medical Officer of Health is to prepare a report
upon the sanitary state of his district, showing how far that state may be
susceptible of improvement, and the best means by which such improvement
can be effected.
In the present report I shall attempt to accomplish these objects ; and I
may remark that there cannot be a more pleasing task than this, which concerns
the very existence, as also the well-being and happiness, of the large
number of human beings dwelling in this densely populated and poor district,
some of whom are living in a state of misery and wretchedness not to be surpassed,
if equalled, in any part of the great Metropolis—nay, I might truly
say, of Europe.
I shall examine, then, the general sanitary state of the district or parish of
Clerkenwell, reviewing its principal conditions; and shall attempt to show
how these conditions exert their influence upon the social and sanitary state of
the district.
The "Nuisances Removal Act" and the "Local Management Act" will,
I believe, be found to constitute two of the most important Acts which have
ever been framed for improving the sanitary and social conditions of the
people. That the two latter are intimately connected, there can be no
question; for it is evident that those who are living under circumstances in
which they are deprived of the ordinary elements of health and comfort,
cannot be expected to be satisfied and happy, nor can they be expected to
preserve those relations to their fellow-creatures which are essential to their
own welfare, and to that of all around them.
The Vestry, to whom the responsible duty of carrying out the powers of
the Acts has been entrusted, consists of a body of gentlemen whose labours
are voluntary and honorary, and who therefore well deserve the esteem and
thanks of the inhabitants.
The duties of the Vestry are most important. We shall see that in many
respects the sanitary conditions under which many of the poorer classes are
living are very defective. These classes have not the means of remedying
them, but the Vestry has this power ; so that, excepting in matters of
luxury, the poorer classes shall enjoy the same sanitary advantages as the
rich.
It may appear, hereafter, that I have entered upon the consideration of
details relating to diet, &c., not usually treated of in sanitary reports. These
are, however, too important to be omitted.
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