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yet they are surrounded by a cordon of wholesome domiciles, so that, although
sporadic cases of Cholera might become imported into the District, I do not think
the conditions exists which are required for the Disease to become seriously
epidemic.
Notwithstanding this opinion, your Clerk and myself lost no time in looking
to our fortifications, and we made active preparations to deal with any cases which
might arise. For this purpose additional assistance was obtained, so that more
constant inspection of the District should take place, and a larger system of
general disinfection might be effected.
Preparations were made to use some cottages, either as hospitals, or for
shelters for the residents of houses where disease existed ; probably the latter,
because previous experience has demonstrated that Cholera patients can only be
removed safely in the very earliest stage of the disease.
All the Medical Men in the District were communicated with. They were
requested to report cases of Diarrhoea which occurred in their practices. They
were asked to co-operate with the Sanitary Department, should such assistance
be required. The replies from my friends were eminently satisfactory.
It was proposed to rely upon existing Poor Law arrangements, and private
Medical attendance, until Cholera actually appeared in the District. Should the
disease manifest itself, it was suggested that a Medical Man should be appointed
to take charge of the particular area incriminated. For the purpose the District
should, in the first place, be divided into three parts, co-existent with the Poor
Law Boundaries. Each of these divisions should then be sub-divided as occasion
required, and thus, without waste of material, any portion of the District could
be, at short notice, medically cared for.
Our stock of Disinfectants was increased, to provide for sudden emergency.
Arrangements were made to destroy any clothing or bedding which had been
exposed to contagion, and preparations were made for the immediate removal to
the Mortuary of any body which had died from disease of a suspicious nature.
In one case of death from sudden Acute Diarrhoea, the body was placed in a
well-pitched coffin, filled with disinfectants, and screwed down. It was removed
to the Mortuary, and the Coroner was written to. That Officer dispensed with
the viewing of the body, under the urgent circumstances of the case.
Nothing was done which might create a panic. No large posters were
placarded over the District, but arrangements were ready whereby such might be
done at very short notice, if it had become necessary to do so.
Small bills were judiciously distributed amongst those inhabitants, to whom
it was thought proper to bring the information which was printed. I append a
copy of this bill:—
"WHITECHAPEL DISTRICT BOARD OF WORKS.
INSTRUCTIONS TO INHABITANTS.—
"Perfect cleanliness in person and Dwelling, and avoidance of all nuisances
"in and around the house is of utmost importance. Freely use water and carbolic
"acid to cleanse drains and sinks, No food which looks bad or which has an
"unpleasant smell, should be eaten. Draw all drinking water from the main tap,
"'and boil all drinking water and milk. Avoid overcrowding, and ventilate all
"rooms. Every case of sickness must be notified to the Board Offices, No. 15,
"Great Alie Street, E. Do not neglect the mildest attack of Diarrhœa, or other
"illness. Report to the Officers of the Board when any unpleasant smells or
"nuisances of any kind are noticed."