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ANNUAL REPORT
OF THE
MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH.
Capstone House, Hammersmith,
Man 1879.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,—
In accordance with the privilege I possess, I beg to
present to you my report on the health of this District during
the year 1878.
There is not a more difficult task than that of carrying out
sanitary reform; for although every one agrees that sanitary
laws should be put into force, nevertheless they are greatly
objected to when they interfere with oneself. Of course, in the
large majority of cases, someone is interfered with, and as a
natural consequence there is always someone who fancies
himself aggrieved. It is, however, satisfactory to notice that
when difficulties are overcome, in by far the majority of instances,
the very person who has most objected will express
himself in terms of satisfaction that he was obliged to comply.
-Much was accomplished last year in the way of sanitary improvement,
but still there is much that requiries to be done.
Time, determination and energy must eventually be productive
of good. The mortality during the past year was exceptionally
large; in fact the largest that has ever occurred in this district
since registration was commenced. I shall be able to show you
that there were ample causes to account for it, also that those
causes need occasion no increased anxiety, but that the health
of the district, taking all the circumstances into consideration,
has improved. The birth-rate was also the largest that has
ever occurred in this District, the result of its great prosperity