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The corpse was directly placed in the Mortuary, the house disinfected after destruction
of the patient's bedding and clothing, and no more persons were affected.
Subsequently, we again had some small-pox, enteric fever, and scarlatina, but
proper precautions being carefully adopted, and necessary revaccination sedulously
urged and performed, our loss was small comparatively with that of other districts.
The necessary expense incurred for removal to Hospital, disinfection, and compensation
for destruction of infected articles, is proved to be well warranted; since that
borne by another suburb which, suffering similarly in the same months, was not at first
equally prompt in repressive action, was far greater.
I have systematically noticed the various Manufactories and Granaries, and though
• •
several are not unfrequently a source of offence in their neighbourhoods, they are
neither so noisome nor detrimental to health, as to compel me to ask you to interfere
with them; and moreover, they have mostly prescriptive rights of usage.
Some details of the usual Sanitary Routine are shewn in Table VI, compiled from
the Reports to me made by Mr. Edwards, the Inspector of Nuisances, but it does not
adequately represent all the work performed by your officers.
The most important changes, so far as you are interested, in the Sanitary legislation
of the year, are the Repeal of the "Bakehouse Regulation Act," (which is partially
reproduced in the "Factory and Workshops Act, 1878" ) and the adoption of the
"Canal Boats Act, 1877 and the "Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act, 1878."
Time will shew how beneficial or otherwise these measures will prove, and in my next
Annual Report I must draw your special attention to their working.
I cannot but express my sense of the kindness, recognition, and support I have,
since my appointment, received from the Vestry at large, and must record my obligations
to my Colleagues your Law Clerks and Surveyors, for their cordial co-operation and
valuable aid in the performance of my duty.
I have the honour to be Gentlemen,
Your most obedient Servant,
BENJ n. BROWNING, M.D., S.Sc:C.Edin:, &c.,
Medical Officer of Health.
Rotherhithe, 1879.