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vault to be opened. It was found to be well arched and ventilated, and to contain
only a few bodies, from which there was nothing offensive perceived; for
the most part the coffins were empty. The vault was limewhited well by Mr.
Adams's direction, and the fastenings again made secure.
In concluding this account of what has been done in sanitary matters,
I must thank the Board for the sympathy with which they have worked with
me, in the discharge of the difficult duties of an Officer of Health.
The possessor of this office can never become popular—his functions
bring him into constant collision with the apparent interests of many influential
persons—and he is gratefully welcomed only by the poor, who, from ignorance
or subservience, cannot raise their own voices to improve their condition; hence
the need that his hands should be strengthened by the Board for which he works,
and hence the immense value of that cordiality which I for myself would
gratefully acknowledge.
\
GEORGE BUCHANAN, B.A., M.D., Londin,
Lie. Roy. Coll. of Physicians, fyc., 4 c.
Medical officer of Health
4th June, 1858.