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16
causes of the spread and fatality of zymotic diseases
of childhood, and lays the foundation of the
scrofula and consumption which every year carry
off a fifth of all who die amongst us. It is for
these reasons that I would earnestly urge upon the
Vestry, the Clergy, and all who are interested in
the welfare of the parish, the importance of assisting
in carrying out the plans which are now in
agitation for improving the dwellings of the poor.
SANITARY WORK OF THE YEAR 1861.
I call your attention to the Reports of the
Sanitary Inspector as indicating the amount of
work done under my direction. An examination
of these Reports will shew you what a large amount
of beneficial action is going on, and that even if
no life had been spared and no sickness prevented,
that habits and morals must have been greatly
improved. It is almost impossible amidst the filth
and stench of dirty houses and imperfect drains,
that the working man's family should be able to
develope those moral and intellectual qualities
which are after all more worth to the community
than any saving of rates. During the year
1861, 1574 nuisances of various kinds were
removed. Without referring to these in detail,
as I have done in previous years, I would draw
your attention to the fact that it includes the
following items:—
1. The draining anew thirty-two dwelling