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37
Sanitary Record for the Year.
Details of this were reported to you at the regular Vestry meetings. The routine
work effected. chiefly by the Inspector of Nuisances in the discharge of his duty,
though supplemented as necessary by my personal exertions, is given in the body of the
General Report, at page 16.
During the whole year, the time of your Officers was fully occupied in combating
the Small pox epidemic then prevalent in London, and the means they adopted in grappling
with it, were in accordance with the suggestions of the Medical Officer of the
local Government Board, in hi- memorandum dated November 1880, to which I would
refer you. Our object was to do things as quietly as possible without unduly alarming
the public, and with your co-operation and approval, this object was, I think, fairly
attained Though in the midst of my efforts I was struck down myself with dangerous
illness during three months, in consequence of blood poisoning contracted by examining,
in order to obtain a conviction for its exposure, a piece of putrid meat, (for the attempted
sale of which the possessor was imprisoned for a month by magisterial decision.)
This work was carried out by my temporary successor, the Clerk, the Inspector
of Nuisances, and others, to your satisfaction, and on returning to my duties, I found
the epidemic fast diminishing and the public health generally satisfactory.
I must draw your attention to the fact, that throughout the year I have received
great support and assistance in every way from the Inspector of Nuisances and Thomas
Rogers the disinfector; without it, indeed, I must have devoted my whole time to your
sanitary work, to the exclusion of all other engagements, public or private.
Regardless of personal risk or inconvenience to themselves, they have fully attended
to my directions, working at all hours of day and night, even on many Sundays and
•
holidays, and I trust that you will consider, with my that their hearty co-operation in
the plain I have adopted of disinfection and animal vaccination, has enabled me to
materially check the spread infectious disease at a minimum of expense, and that the
efforts of these your two servants will receive your approval.
The regular inspection of cowhouses, slaughterhouses, manure factories, grain
drying stores, &c., has been made by me as usual, and calls for no special comment.
No cases occurred of failure on the part of your officers to abate any nuisance they
attacked, which, in every instance, was done with your sanction. The Canal Boats
Act is by no means the dead letter it has been represented. All the Boats passing
into your district during the twelve months, have been found registered and in fair
Military condition. The riparian outfalls arc nearly all cut off.
I have to thank you, Gentlemen, and mv colleagues, for the courtesy and kindness
I have received, and have the honour to be
Your obedient Servant,
BENJn BROWNING, M.D., S.ScX.Edin:
Fellow or tut Chemical Society, etc.
Medical Officer of Health
Rotherhithe, 1882.