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announcement of such a high rate of mortality, as is occasionally the case under the
present arrangements. If the constable would give notice to the local registrars, that
the coroner was about holding an inquest in his district, this inconvenience would be
obviated, for I have no doubt that the registrar would readily attend the inquest.
The number of cases of illness recorded by the Medical Officers of the Union,
are 3009, which is 318 in excess of the corresponding quarter of last year ; but it is
gratifying to me to be able to report, that the fever cases have materially decreased,
they being 185 against 327. The difference in the amount of sickness is occasioned
principally by the greater prevalence of diseases of the respiratory organs, 819
against G86. From the records of sickness which are now published weekly, it
appears that an average of 781 new cases have received gratuitous advice in this
district every week ; 231 of which were attended by the Medical Officers of the Union,
exclusive of those which were treated in the Workhouses, averaging a total of 33 per
week. The Eastern Dispensary, and the London Dispensary, each, average weekly,
about 40 cases ; while the London Hospital supplies medical advice and medicines
to about 437 every week. These Institutions do not confine their usefulness to this
district, but persons living at considerable distances avail themselves of the benefits
they afford. I take this opportunity of tendering my thanks to Mr. CLOUGH, and
Mr. Gayton, the resident Medical Officers of the Eastern, and London Dispensaries,
and to Mr. Champneys, and Mr. Richardson, the Medical Officers of the Workhouses,
for forwarding to me, weekly, the cases of sickness, which are recorded in
their books.
Two hundred and eighty-three houses have been systematically visited by your
Inspectors during the last quarter, making a total of 3010, or more than a third of
the entire district, since the commencement of their duties; and the particulars regarding
the sanitary requirements are registered in books kept for that purpose, and which
may be seen at any time, on application at my office. It appears from the returns
furnished to me by the Inspectors, that 1362 cesspools have been abolished, and 20
overcrowded houses have been remedied ; but, for the further particular improvements
which have been effected, I must refer you to the Tables Nos. 1, 2, and 15.
The importance of visiting, in rotation, every house in the district, is shown by
the bringing of nuisances under the notice of your Inspectors, which otherwise
would have escaped observation. For instance, on visiting the houses in Duke Street,
we discovered that one of the houses was used as a common lodging-house, but was
not registered as such. This house was three stories high, and each room was overcrowded
with lodgers. The staircase was dark, ill ventilated, and had a very offensive
smell; the rooms were dirty and dilapidated, and such were the filthy habits of the
people who occupied the attic, that urine and excrement were thrown into the rain