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

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Paddington 1879

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Paddington]

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28
disease. Besides the direct effects already enumerated
of these known and unknown vapours which
reach the circulation through the lungs, the stomach,
and the skin, it is believed that, by depressing vital
energy, they act still more injuriously and more
extensively as the pre-disposing cause of some
diseases, and in imparting a fatal tendency to
others.
With the facts now stated successive Sanitary
Committees have long been familiar, as may be
inferred from the numerous resolutions based upon
them which have, from time to time, been sent up
to the Vestry for its approval.
It is for the Vestry, in the interests of public
health, to determine how long it will allow the
Canal Basin to remain an open sewer, as, at times,
it may be not inaptly described.
Canal Boats Act, 1877.
This Act which provides for the registration and
regulation of Canal boats used as dwellings came
into operation on the 1st January, 1878; and the
Regulations of the Local Government Board, which
are complementary to the Act, on the 30th June of
the same year.
The objects of the Act are sanitary and educational.
With the latter, Sanitary authorities have