View report page

5
The deaths in the Workhouse have been 118 against 70 for the corresponding
quarter of the previous year. Of these deaths, there were 4 from
Measles, 2 from Erysipelas, 2 from Diarrhoea, 22 from Fever, and 4 from Gangrene.
Respecting these 4 deaths from Gangrene, it appears that one of the
patients, a female aged 51 years, was admitted into the workhouse on June
25th, 1863; after a long illness, she had bed sores, which assumed a gangrenous
character; she died June 7th, 1864. The next case was that of a man
65 years of age, who, when admitted on the 12th of February, was suifering
from a bad leg. An abscess subsequently occurred in the foot which was
followed by Gangrene. He died on the 24th May. The next case was that
of a child 1 year old,.who was admitted on the 13th February, suffering from
Secondary Syphilis which resulted in a gangrenous ulcer. This child died
on the 21st April. The fourth case was that of a woman who was admitted
on the 18th of March, and died on the 31st of the same month from Gangrene,
the result of ossification of the arteries.
On looking over a return of the deaths in the Workhouse which was
recently given to me by one of the Guardians, it appears that out of the 321
deaths which occurred in that institution during the year ending March, 1864,
there were 65 deaths of persons who had been only five days in the house;
111 of persons who had been there for a period varying from 6 days to a
month ; 109 of persons who had been in the house from 1 to 12 months, and
36 who had been there for a longer period.
The Medical Officers of the Union attended 3,362 new cases of illness,
including 3 of Small-pox, 189 of Measles, 27 of Scarlet-fever, 79 of Hoopingcough,
236 of Diarrhoea, and 75 of Fever.
The number of cases of illness in the Workhouse has been 733, including
2 of Small-pox, 11 of Measles, 8 of Scarlet-fever, 25 of Diarrhoea, and
111 of Fever. Of the total number, Mr. Champneys attended 372 and Ma.
Richardson 361.
By the daily and systematic inspection of the Courts by the Inspectors,
instances are repeatedly found of the overcrowding and indecent occupation
of rooms, and occasionally of the sub-letting of them. In these latter instances,
notice of the fact is always given to the Police.
I desire to conclude this Report by making a few observations On the
WATER SUPPLY.
During the last six months I have again directed my attention to the
very inadequate supply of water to the poor of this district. It appears from
the returns of the Inspectors, that 66 courts within this district, are supplied
with water from a stand-tap only, from which the water flows for the short
period of about 20 minutes daily on six days of the week, while on Sundays
there is no supply at all, except in the few instances which are mentioned in
a former Report.