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more than threefold; so that although the staff has been largely
increased, yet each member of it, especially myself, has been
more fully occupied than in former years. In the appendix to
the report will be found a summary of the work done in each
year since 1856, as well as other tables.
There are also clauses in the Act requiring the disinfection
of premises in which epidemic diseases have appeared, and of
all articles therein "liable to retain infection." This clause has
been carried out extensively in this District with the greatest
benefit, as these diseases have, since its adoption, been in nearly
all cases confined to the houses in which they first broke out,
instead of spreading to those adjoining. The other clause
enables the Board to require the owners of property to provide
increased means of ventilation, in all cases where it was deficient,
by making the top window-sashes moveable. I have made
particular enquiries about this, and I have invariably been
informed that it has been a great boon to the poor, as they can
ventilate their rooms at night, and whilst the children are in
them, which they could not do before.
Another new duty has been laid on the sanitary staff,
especially on myself, by the superintendence of the dust contract,
the distribution of cards with D on them to about 6,000 houses,
and arranging the rota for the carts visiting every road, street,
and court in the District once a week.
There have been several other new duties to perform which
do not require any special mention, but which in the aggregate
have greatly increased the time required for superintending and
the labour in carrying out the sanitary works.
The list of streets, courts, and places inspected during the
year is appended to this report, and shows that no less than
5,168 houses, 87 cow-sheds, 75 slaughter-houses, and 98