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The Infants' Home, No. 35, Great Coram Street.
There were 13 deaths at this "Home" during the year, all children
of "female domestic servants," and under 6 months of age.
The causes of death were as follows:— Diarrhoea 5, bronchitis 3,
debility 2, pneumonia 1, convulsions 1, and enteritis 1.
I am still of opinion that this and similar Institutions where infants
are nursed should be placed directly under Government supervision.
Deaths Registered, but not Certified.
Five deaths were registered as uncertified, which is about the
average number for this District.
For public security it should be obligatory to hold an inquest
where no medical certificate is produced to the local registrar.
Sanitary Work.
An account of the sanitary work carried out under the supervision
of Inspector Walters and the late Inspector O'Donnell will be found
in Table VI., Appendix; but this does not represent the whole work
done, for much is effected in the cleansing, &c. of houses by verbal
request of the inspectors to owners of property, without the formal
notices of your Board.
The late Inspector O'Donnell was attacked with pleurisy at the
beginning of November, and after many weeks' illness died from
it in St. Bartholomew's Hospital.
Proceedings under the Sanitary Acts.—Statutory notices
issued by the Board were attended to in the majority of instances;
23 owners were summoned to the police courts and ordered by the
magistrate to carry out the necessary works, which have been done.
Overcrowding.—Twenty-four notices were served upon owners
to reduce overcrowding on their premises, and were attended to in
every case. Doubtless there is much overcrowding in many parts of
St. Giles, but the difficulty is to detect it, for during the legal hours
of inspection, many of the inmates are away from their rooms and do
not return until night, so that the correct numbers cannot always be
ascertained. Many of the cases of overcrowding are discovered only
by anonymous information.
Underground Dwellings.— Several illegally-occupied rooms
were closed by the order of your Board.
Dangerous Structures.—11 dangerous structures were reported
by the Sanitary Inspectors, and due notices given to the District
Surveyor.
Nuisances from Animals (Pig-keeping).—The only 2 cases
reported during the year were for keeping pigs. In October 2 small
pigs were discovered in the kitchen of No. 8, Hyde Street, and
3 pigs were found in a stable at 7, Bhoades Mews. Notices were
served on the owners for the nuisances to be abated forthwith.