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6
is a specific element in the disease. He also states that the cholera
germ multiplies rapidly outside the human body in damp soiled linen,
and that it can be readily destroyed by drying. Very slightly acid
fluids are equally fatal to the germ. It is impossible to overrate the
importance of these discoveries in the prophylactic treatment of the
disease.
In considering our future work, it is apparent that a sharp look-out
must be maintained to prevent over-crowding in the district,
especially whilst so many houses are being demolished. The people
must crowd into any rooms they can obtain. It will probably be
thought advisable to register tenement houses, and to remain satisfied
with generally improving those existing houses which need it, until
the land in the district, which is now vacant, shall afford accommodation
for the very poor. For this purpose, houses should be
erected where single rooms can be let at low rents, and where all
modern sanitary requirements can be introduced; or, better still, in
all model dwellings, some rooms should be reserved for the very
poor, so that by association with a class above themselves, their
habits would be improved, and their morals elevated.
The necessity for a Public Mortuary is so apparent, that I trust
the district will not remain long without one. Scarcely a week
passes without some case occurring which renders the want of a
Mortuary likely to promote danger.
From the Government returns, as well as from the Water Companies'
analyses, I gather that the water supplied to the districfl was
excellent in quality and sufficient in quantity. So important are the
statements, in his official report, of Colonel Sir Francis Bolton, C.E ,
that I quote them for your perusal: " In houses supplied on the
constant system, all danger of drinking stale or contaminated water
from cisterns may readily be avoided if the following recommendation
is carried into practice, viz., to attach a small draw-off tap to the
communication pipe which supplies the cistern from the main in the
street, from which water may be drawn at any minute, day or night,
direct from the works, thereby taking full advantage of any efforts
made by the Companies to purify the water to the utmost extent."
" The water drawn from the Lee, and distributed by the New River
and East London Companies contained less organic matter than any
of the Thames waters. Both waters were clear and transparent."
The mean temperature of the air during the quarter was 43.1°.
The highest temperature recorded was 68.0° on March 15th, and the