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41
in the locality, and such discovery not unfrequently results from
the Sanitary Inspector's visit. Now and then the registration
of a death has been unduly delayed— sometimes probably with
the object of temporary concealment of the cause of death.
It would be well if registration within a limited period, say
twenty-four hours, were made compulsory.
2. The Relieving Officers, by direction of the Board of Guardians,
report all cases of infectious diseases that come under their cognizance,
and generally these are cases that have been, or are
about to be, removed to the hospitals of the Metropolitan
Asylum District, admission to which (practically denied to no
person) can only be obtained on the order of a relieving officer,
or the master of a workhouse.
3. Similar information is given by the Resident Medical Officer of
the Kensington Dispensary, by direction of the Committee
of Management. We seldom hear of sickness through any
similar institution; and it is a matter of regret that many cases
that ought to be removed to the hospitals are treated at home
by medical men attached to so-called "provident dispensaries."
4. Medical men favour me occasionally with information of cases,
and more especially when they desire assistance in order to get
the sufferers [e.g., domestic servants) removed to hospitals.
5. In my annual report for 1877,1 referred to what I thought to be
a somewhat important step in advance that had then lately been
effected through the action of the London School Board, which,
at my request, had instructed the Superintendents of Divisions
throughout the Metropolis to desire the "Visitors" to report to
the several Medical Officers of Health any cases of infectious
disease that might come to their knowledge in the discharge of
their official duties, which take them constantly into the homes
of the poorer classes. To facilitate the transmission of this
information by the Visitors, your Vestry authorized me to
prepare a form for their use, which has been done. I must say,
however, that hitherto the resolution of the Board has not
at any time been attended with the hoped for results, comparatively
few cases having been reported. During the past year,
moreover, the Board have shown a disposition to recede from
the position they had taken up. At any rate, on my calling