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room, unless the windows reach the ceiling, and remain open, the interchange
of the higher stratum of air is incomparably less than that on the level of
the doors.
In the circular of the Poor Law Board above quoted, not a word is
said about the ventilation of each ward, but reliance upon the healthy condition
of each ward is placed entirely upon the cubical space allotted to each
inmate, whereas, in Dr. Smith's suggestions, it is strongly insisted on that
the ventilation must be efficient.
The above-mentioned regulations respecting the cubic space to be
allotted to each inmate of a workhouse, and the suggestions of Dr. E. Smith
as regards floor space and ventilation, are highly important in determining
the cubic space which is necessary to be allowed to each lodger in a registered
common lodging house.
Seizure of Bacon unfit fob the Food of Man.
On September 3rd, the Inspector, from information received, accompanied
by the Medical Officer of Health, visited the premises of a provision
merchant in Royal Mint Street, and there found a large quantity of bacon
(about 5 tons) exposed for sale in the shop, all of which, being unfit for the
food of man, was seized and taken to the Thames Police Court, and on the
following day the same was condemned by tho sitting magistrate as being
unfit for the food of man. Tho bacon was then conveyed by the Inspector
to the premises of a soap maker at King's Cross, and was there so destroyed
by pouring carbolic acid over it, as to render it impossible to bo used
for food.
Small Pox.
From the weekly returns of death by the Registrar General, and from
tho weekly returns of sickness, which are furnished to the Guardians, by
the Medical Officers of the Union, it is evident that small pox has prevailed
during the last four months very extensively, and I believe to a greater
extent than has been known since the formation of your Board. The returns
of death from small pox for the Quarter ending on December 31st, 1870,
have been 50, to which number we must add the two deaths which occurred
among the patients who were sent from this District to the Small Pox
Hospital.
The largest number of deaths which has hitherto been registered in any
Quarter in this District from small pox, since 1856, occurred in that ending 28th
March, 18G3, when the number amounted to 31, and the cases attended by
the Medical Officers of the Union were 103. The years when small pox has
been epidemic, during the last 17 years, are 1854, 1855, and a portion of
1856, 1859,1863,1866, and the last five months of 1870; and the epidemic
continues to the present time, 4th February, 1871, when, for each week since