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18'9, and in the next five years, 1876-80, to 18*7. A still larger
decline was observed in the quinquennium 1881-85, the deathrate
in those years being 15-9 per 1000 only. If to those five
years we add 1886-87, it will appear that the death-rate in the
septennial period, 1881-87, was 16'1 per 1000. In 1888 the
rate was 15*9, and in 1889, 13"5 only, the lowest on record. In
Kensington, as in London, an eminently satisfactory improvement
in the public health has taken place in regard to " preventable "
diseases, i.e., diseases of the zymotic class. This improvement
has been largely due to the legislation of 1866 (" The Sanitary
Act") and 1867 (" The Metropolitan Poor Act"), the Metropolis
having been endowed under the last-named Act with a magnificent
system of hospitals for infectious diseases, organized by the
Metropolitan Asylums Board, whilst under the former Act public
health has been safe-guarded by provisions for preventing the
spread of infectious disease, by exposure of the sick, etc., and for
disinfection, etc.
It is not probable that the good results of the past thirtyfour
years of sanitary administration will be far surpassed in
time to come ; but something may be done by legislation to
facilitate the proceedings of those, authorities and officers alike
engaged in the great work. In my last report, I observed that
" what is most wanted is machinery, whereby a nearer approach
to Unity in carrying out the provisions of law may be attained.
Measures for the Consolidation of Sanitary Laws and for
Compulsory Notification of Infectious Diseases, together
with a settlement of the Hospital Question on the principles
which I have ventured to lay down, are among the most pressing
needs of the Metropolis at the present time." Compulsory notification
has now been provided for by the Infectious Disease
(Notification) Act, 1889; the hospital question has 'jeen practically
settled by the Poor Law Act, 1889, whilst a measure, to
c msolidate the Public Health Acts, to be introduced by Mr.
Ritchie, will probably pass into law during the current Session.