View report page

2
My only source of information relating to the prevalence of zymotic diseases,
and their localities, has been from the books of the Medical Officers of
the Union. These books do not give any thing like the total amount
of such diseases; for, although a great many cases of epidemic disease came
under the cognizance of the Medical Officers of the Union, yet, very manycases
of small pox, measles, diarrhoaa, hooping cough, scarlet fever, and typhus
fever occur, and are prescribed for by the Medical Officers of the Hospitals and
Dispensaries, and by private practitioners, or are allowed to run their course
without the aid of medical advice.
By knowing the localities and houses where epidemic diseases prevail, we
can direct our early attention to the infected spots; while the other districts,
which are comparatively free from disease, may be left unnoticed, until they
are inspected by the Inspectors of Nuisances, in the course of their regular
house to house visitation.
As regards the laying before you an account of the work done by your
Inspectors of Nuisances, I may remark, that until the middle of July, no regular
system of sanitary inspection had been carried out. The work done by those
officers was very laborious, and was most ably and zealously performed, but
not being systematic, it was not in my power to lay before you the result of
their labours in such a satisfactory manner as I could wish. Since the 14th of
July, a form of books has been kept, in which will be recorded the sanitary
condition of every locality and house in the district. This will enable us to
see from time to time the progress that is made in sanitary improvements.
A record of all cases where notices have been issued by the Inspectors of
Nuisances, requiring landlords to make structural alterations in their premises,
to improve their sanitary condition, is kept by your Medical Officer of Health,
and is laid before the Board and Committee of Works every Monday and
Thursday evening.
It has been my object to endeavour to avoid all harsh and arbitrary proceedings
in carrying into effect the sanitary provisions of the Metropolis Local
Management Act, and the Act for the Removal of Nuisances. I am happy
to say that, considering the numerous nuisances which have been inspected,
very few summonses have been taken out against landlords for neglecting to
comply with the requirements of the Acts of Parliament; and I expect that
when the clauses relating to nuisances become more generally known and
better understood, the assistance of the magistrates to enforce their provisions
will be less frequently required.
I may here state for the information of landlords and the public generally,
that the District Board of Works has the power of compelling owners of property
to provide all privies with suitable trapped soil-pans, and suitable water
supply and water apparatus, and in every case, where a sewer runs within 100
feet of any pavt of the premises, to connect the drains with it, and fill up the
cesspools, to pave the courts, and keep them in good repair. It has also power
to compel each landlord to provide a suitable dust-bin, with proper door and
coverings, for the use of his tenants.