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50
"The average cubical space for each person is 310
"feet. The 310 cubic feet of air is not however
"distributed equally, as there were 11 rooms where
"they have more than that quantity. In one
"room the quantity of air for each individual is
"but 120 feet, but the room in which the young
"woman died contained above the average cubical
"feet for each person in the bed rooms of the
"establishment.
"I shall not make any special remarks on the
"case of the young woman, as that has been
"legally investigated and a verdict delivered by a
"jury. I would however remind you that the
"when it has to be endured for a large number of hours without
"sufficient rest, and with a system enervated by overwork.
"I am, Sir, yours, &c.
"EDWIN LANKESTER, M.D.
"Medical Officer of Health, St. James's, Westminster."
The Editor of The Times added the following note:—
"We trust the Vestry will ask Dr. Lankester why he does
"not do his own work, instead of leaving it to the carelessness
"of a clerk. The least his employers can expect is that he
"shall supervise the work of his own clerks."
I should not have re-produced this note here on account of
its intended censure, but it displays an utter ignorance of the
duties of a Medical Officer of Health. It is not the "work" of
that officer either to measure rooms or copy documents for the
Vestry. Neither has he clerks in his employ whose work he can
supervise. He is not so responsible to his "employers" for the
clerical error in this case as the Editor of The Times to his
"employers" for the frequent errors and inventions of his
Penny-a-liners.