London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Whitechapel 1876

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Whitechapel]

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6
Vaccination.

WHITECHAPEL UNION.—Return of the number of Cases Vaccinated by the Public Vaccinator and the Medical Officer of the Workhouse, together with the number o Births Registered during the same quarters.

Quarter ending—PUBLIC VACCINATORWorkhouse.Totals.Births Registd.
Primary Cases.Re-Vaccination.Primary Cases.Re-VaccinationPrimary Cases.Re-Vaccination.
June, 187441123004412726
September32903003590630
December18523102162689
March, 187629224403362687
June37602604020673
September35013503851650
December17822302012655
March, 187623602502610722
Totals235792440260195432

Water Supply.
It appears from the Report of Major Bolton, for the month of
March, 1876, and dated 10th April, 1876, that the East London Company
have already completed the extension of the constant system of supply in
a large part of their district, which is densely populated; and during the
past month over 3000 houses have been added to the number under constant
supply. The Company propose to give further constant supply to
Bethnal Green and Whitechapel, completing one section by 1st of April,
and another section by 1st May.
Upon the subject of water supply the Registrar-General makes
the following remarks: "With an adequate supply of soft water, baths and
shower-baths, the cleanliness of the mass of the population would be greatly
promoted; and this is much required, as through the smoke of the Metropolis,
the standard of cleanliness is low; the dried perspiration closes the pores
of the skin, and hard-working men suffer excessively from fatal diseases of
the lungs."
I have reason to anticipate that a great improvement in the health of
this District will take place when the Baths and Wash-houses in Goulston
Street are again opened.
All the public pumps have been abolished in this District; there may,
however, be a few pumps on private property, and it is my duty to warn
the owners of these pumps of the danger of drinking water from such
polluted wells; for they are probably not aware of the danger they incur
by doing so. Unfortunately, they will not be persuaded to discontinue its
use, because the water is clear and sparkling, and agreeable to the taste.