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786 houses. These are exclusive of those which the inspectors have visited where Fever has
prevailed or where nuisances have existed. I am happy to say that the house-to-house visitation
in the district is now nearly completed, and I expect, in my next report, to be able to
state that every house, whether inhabited by the rich or by the poor, has been inspected, and
information respecting the drainage of each house has been obtained. It has been a subject
of remark at this Board, that the house-to-house visitation might have been finished before the
reading of my previous report, but permit me to observe that if the 83,942 nuisances which
have been removed were to be particularized, or in other words, given in detail, it would be
seen that this number, large as it is, would have been increased more than twofold. The time
involved in getting rid of a single nuisance is sometimes very considerable, so many as 13
visits being required when a summons is taken out for compelling the filling up of a cesspool
and the making of a proper drainage into the sewer. The advantages attending the system of
a house-to-house visitation are very great, and it is most important for the general welfare,
that so soon as all the houses in courts and other confined neighbourhoods have been visited,
that they should be systematically re-inspected, as nuisances in these localities are constantly
recurring. It has been alleged that unless complaints are made, it is not necessary to inspect
the interior of the houses in poor localities, but every one, who has had any experience of the
habits of the poor, knows that it is a very rare thing indeed for them to complain ; for it too
frequently happens that they cannot pay their rent, and therefore dare not make a complaint,
from the fear of being compelled to leave their apartment, and from the difficulty they experience
in obtaining another. District visitors and clergymen might render essential service
towards improving the sanitary condition of the abodes of the poor, by giving information to
the Officers of the Board, whenever they observe such nuisances, as in their opinion, are prejudicial
to health.
The special attention of the Board has latterly been directed to the nuisances arising
from premises used by cow-keepers. This subject is one which, in a sanitary point of view,
claims the serious consideration, not only of the Board, but of the individuals themselves, who
are engaged in that description of business; for it must be borne in mind that milk is a most
important article of general comsumption in the metropolis, forms the principal part of the diet
of children, and is largely consumed by invalids. The excellence of milk must of course be
dependent upon the healthy condition of the animals from which it is derived, and its more or
less nutritious properties are, in a great measure, owing to the care and attention bestowed
upon the animals in keeping them in a state of cleanliness and comfort. It must not be forgotton
that stalled cows, for months and even years together, never see a green field, nor even
move from the stall in which they are confined; that, unlike horses, they are deprived of exercise,
and they are also deprived of, what is of the utmost importance to the maintenance of their
health, the free enjoyment of fresh air.
In consequence of the complaints, which have from time to time been made to the
Board, of the offensive smells proceeding from premises used for the keeping of cows, I was directed
to visit the premises complained of, with a view of suggesting such improvements as would
lead to the mitigation of the evils; but, before making a report upon the subject,I deemed it expe-