View report page

5
recently been incurred in draining and cleansing this confined Court, it may be
reasonably expected that some amelioration in the health of the inhabitants will be
effected. If, however, sickness of an epidemic character should again occur in this
Court, it would probably be more economical to the district, if the ground were purchased
by the Board, and the houses pulled down.
Although the Board has power to compel landlords to carry out certain sanitary
improvements for the benefit of the health of their tenants, yet, unless the cheering
influences of the sun's rays can be made to penetrate the narrow alloys and courts, and
a stream of pure air freely admitted, the benefit of all other sanitary arrangements
will not be fully experienced. It is the concentration and confinement of the noxious
emanations which are given off from the human body, that cause the people living
in the crowded localities to suffer so severely in their health.
However desirable it may be to surround London with 'public parks, or
places for recreation, I am convinced that much more immediate benefit would
be afforded to the health of the people, if the numerous culs-de-sac were made into
thoroughfares, and all projecting houses taken down, which prevented light and a free
current of air from passing into the crowded localities.
It is impossible to over estimate the importance of ventilation in reducing the
rate of mortality and sickness, and consequently increasing the sum of human happiness.
The grand secret of the cause of the improved health and low rate of mortality
among the tenants of the model lodging houses, consists in the better ventilation of
the buildings, the immediate removal of all excreta by a perfect system of drainage,
and by an adequate supply of water.
Previously to my laying before you an account of the work done by your
Inspectors of Nuisances, it is necessary to record the proceedings of your Board
relating to the new regulation of slaughter-houses in the district, under the provisions
of 14 and 15 Vic., c. 61, and the 131st section of the Metropolis Local Management
Act. By the former of these Acts, it is enacted, " That from and after the 1st d y
of December, 1856, no other place within the Metropolitan Police District can be
used as a slaughter-house, without a license had for that purpose and by the latter,
it is enacted, "That before auy license for the use of any place, within any parish
mentioned in either of the Schedules A and B to this Act, as a slaughter-house is
granted, one month's previous notice of the intention to apply for such license shall
be given to the Vestry or District Board in which such place is situate, to the intent
that such Vestry or District Board, if they think fit, may show cause against the grant
of such license."
Agreeably to the provisions of the above-mentioned Acts, fifty persons sent in
the required notice to your Board, stating that it was their intention to apply for the
necessary license at the next Quarter Sessions. Upon the receipt of these notices,
your Board resolved that, by its committees, it would personally inspect the premises
of ail from whom notice bad been received. Before, however, the committees proceeded
to inspect the several slaughter-houses, your Board directed your Medical
Officer of Health to draw up a code of regulations which should be applicable to all
of them, so that the necessary business of slaughtering cattle should be conducted as
not to be a nuisance or an annoyance to persons living in the immediate vicinity of
the premises. It was suggested that every slaughter-house should have 1stly, An
ample supply of water. 2ndly, That it should be paved with flag stones, and the interstices
of the stones filled up with a firm cement. 3rdly, That it should be provided
with good drainage, and the drains properly tr apped. 4thly, That it should be