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pleted, a great source of danger will be removed, as an intermittent
water supply most certainly conduces to the spread of zymotic disease.
In all houses inspected the water supply arrangements are invariably
noted, and in many instances found to be defective— foul
cisterns and water butts being the rule. In many cases the butt
(without any cover) is placed alongside an overflowing dust bin; in
others, the cisterns are placed over closets, and when this is the case
the waste pipes usually communicate with the sewer. In one house
in Hill street, where there have been a number of cases of scarlet
fever, we found the water stored in a very dirty butt, which, at the
time of my visit, contained cabbage stalks, tobacco pipes, mussel
shells, and one live fish.
MORTUARY.
The question of providing a mortuary has been repeatedly under
consideration by the sanitary committee. There are two sites proposed—one
the old watch house in Church row (now used as a temporary
mortuary), and the other the crypt under St. John's Church.
I subjoin my report on the latter to the Vestry
"On the 1st of March, i carefully examined the crypt of St. John's Church,
Bethnal Green. I have also seen the plans and specifications of the intended
mortuary, and am of opinion that they could be earned out without in any way
endangering the health of the congregation, or inhabitants of the neighbourhood.
The situation and nature of the vaults are, in my opinion, eminently adapted to the
purpose in view, the solidity of the building being such as to entirely preclude the
possibility of any noxious emanations ascending to the superstructure."
Signed, &c.
The sanitary committee visited the Shoreditch mortuary, which has
been recently erected in the churchyard, and were very pleased with
the arrangements, which are of the very best description, and which
we cannot do better than take for our modeL
Unfortunately, however, the site for our future mortuary remains
unsettled, no progress having been made. The matter should, however,
not be allowed to rest. We may at any time have an epidemic
upon us, which would find us utterly unprepared with any adequate
provision.