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recently effected therein, I anticipate that during the ensuing quarter, a less amount of disease
will be found to prevail. It is manifest that here some local cause must ho in operation to
produce this excessive amount of sickness, for if these diseases were produced hy any general
atmospheric cause, it is most probable that their malignant effects would be extended over a
much larger area. Although the cause of epidemic diseases is still involved in mystery, yet
we know that in those places where sanitary regulations are disregarded, the severity of all
these diseases is increased.
It appears that the sewers in the above-mentioned streets are very defective, but as
the Board has given orders for the thorough repair of them, we may reasonably expect that the
health of the neighbourhood will be further improved, when, in addition to the more general
improvements already carried into effect by order of the Inspector, the still better drainage of
each house shall have been effected.
As I am indebted for information respecting sanitary defects in certain houses and
localities to the Medical Officers of the Union, and to the Relieving Officers, I here tender to
them my best thanks for the same; and I trust, that not only shall I continue to receive information
upon this subject from the Officers of the Union, but that all persons, who are engaged
in visiting the poor, will kindly inform me of any matter, which, in their opinion, is likely to
prove injurious to the health of the district.
During the last three months the Inspectors have systematically inspected 817
houses, of which number, 109 have been twice visited; the majority of these latter being in
Colchester Street, and the streets adjoining, where new sewerage has been recently constructed.
Nearly 2000 nuisances have been removed, very many of these requiring four or five visits
from the Inspectors in consequence of the filthy habits of some of the inhabitants of the
worst localities; such as Wilson's Place, Goulston Court, Marlborough Court, Miller's Court,
Goodwin's Buildings, &c. The filthy habits are unfortunately not confined to the people inhabiting
the poorest localities, but some of the houses in Duke Street, which is a respectable
thoroughfare and well drained, require regular supervision, in consequence of the nuisance
caused by the stoppage of the syphons. In several places in the district, the inhabitants are
in the constant habit of throwing the contents of their chamber utensils into the dust-bins,
thereby occasioning a disgusting nuisance when these receptacles are emptied by the Dustmen.
I have again to record two more cases of the prolonged retention of the dead. One
of these cases was that of a female infant, who died from hooping-cough, and the dead body
was kept nearly three weeks in a room occupied by the parents and four children. The other
case was also that of a child, whose dead body had been kept during fifteen days in a room
occupied by the other members of the family. Both these cases occurred in Mile End New
Town, and so soon as the Inspector received information respecting them he took immediate
steps to obtain the interment of the bodies. The law upon this subject is very defective and
requires amendment.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
JOHN LIDDLE.
Board of Works,
15, Great Alie Street.