London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Paddington 1873

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington]

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has suffered, but, as probably 10 per cent. are fatal cases, it
would be about 1000 children who have been attacked by this
disease, occuring chiefly in closely crowded streets and houses.
The mischief it causes to the organs of respiration, is often
permanent in after life.
The deaths of child population under (5 years of age) are
within 4 of the corresponding quarters of last and of previous
years, viz.:—182 in 1873; 186 in 1872; 180 in 1871. These
deaths, as well as the tubercular deaths, are much higher than
natural. Consumptive diseases destroy a greater number of
people annually, even in this healthy Parish, than the zymotic
or epidemic forms of disease. In all probability at some future
time, not far distant, it will be known that this destructive
disease, in a great measure is preventible, by a superior knowledge
and effective execution of hygienic laws. The evil does not
end with the death of the individual sufferer, the predisposition
of a parent is transmitted silently to the offspring, often in
spite of sanitary regulations. But imperfect sanitary surroundings,
miserable housing, overcrowding, and bad feeding, where
families have an hereditary taint, will for many years furnish
an abundant crop of this blighting affection in the population of
our large towns. How this result is to be prevented, is a
matter in which all classes of society are deeply concerned,
and it urgently calls for attention.

Tabular Statement of the principal Works executed in the Highway Department,

for the Year ending 25th March, 1874.

New Streets taken to.Streets paved under the Metropolis Local Management Acts.Granite Crossings laid down.Old Footways repaved.Mews repaved.Gravel Footways paved.
mile.fur.yds.mile.fur.yds.mile.fur.yds.mile.fur.yds.mile.fur.yds.mile.fur.yds.
46-3154-l313141-374-150

l) Pyæmia with Fever. (2) Typhoid Fever. (3) Gastric Fever. (4) Nervous Fever.
(5) Croup cases. (6) Congestive Fever.

Tabular Statement of the principal Works executed in the Sewers Department,

for the year ending 25th March, 1874.

New Brick & Pipe Sewers constructed at the expense of the Vestry.Air Shafts & Openings constructed at the expense of the Vestry.Number of GulleysNumber of side Entrances constructed by Vestry.Cleansing Sewers.
Constructed and Reconstructed.Repaired.
feet.561911121cubic yds. of HEavy deposits removed.
2,451303
Number of Drains constructed to New Houses, Stables, &c.Total length of Drain-Pipe laid to New Houses and Stables and under Footpath and Roadway.No. of House Drains re-constructed under Footpath & Roadway.Number of Complaints received and attended to.Traps fixed to House and Gulley Drains.
10mile.fur.yards.140160436
2160