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might be lost by applying to the wrong officer; and as the cost
of maintenance, &c., for a pauper is thrown on the whole of the
Metropolis, whilst for a non-pauper it is thrown on the district
or parish, the Sanitary Officer would have to make the necessary
enquiries, and satisfy himself that the patient could pay, before
issuing his order for removal. During the whole of the late
epidemic every person applying to me was removed at his own
cost or that of his friends, or was subsequently removed by the
Relieving Officer, although I was empowered to take any applicant,
not being a pauper, to the Islington Small-pox Hospital at
the expense of the Board. In 1871-72, when we had beds in a
small-pox hospital, most of the patients admitted there on my
order were paupers, who objected to go to the newly opened
Asylums Board's hospitals. We have not therefore been injured
by want of a hospital of our own, as all persons suffering from
infectious disease of which I have been informed were, if
necessary, removed, provided they were in a fit condition for
removal, which many were not, in consequence of the disease being
in an advanced stage.
The inspections of the cowsheds have occupied an unusually
large amount of time this year, in consequence of the cowkeepers
scarcely knowing what to do to satisfy the requirements of the
Officers of this Board and of the Metropolitan Board of Works.
In most instances two or three inspections were made by the
Committee and myself, besides the visits of the Inspector, and it
was only by opposing the granting of the licenses to a considerable
number that the works we required were done. Several
cowkeepers had their licenses refused eventually, because they
did not consider it would pay them to make the necessary alterations
and amendments. The regulations have not been strictly
carried out as regards the cubical space for each cow, because the
cowkeepers were not able in all instances to enlarge their sheds,
but next year they will be strictly enforced, especially as where
proper means of ventilation are provided the space has been
reduced to 600 cubic feet for each cow. One license was refused