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51
"case opens up the whole question of the internal
"condition of the workshops, work-rooms, and
"sleeping rooms of our city populations. It also
"opens up the question of the number of hours
"that persons may be employed consistent with
"health in sedentary occupations in ill-ventilated
"rooms. The question is one of the greatest
"importance to the whole of the community, as it
"involves the life and health of a very large class
"of persons. There is no parish more interested
"in this question than the Parish of St. James's,
"there being a larger number of persons, in pro"portion
to its population, working in shops and
"work-rooms, than in any other parish in the
"kingdom. It is also in this Parish that one of
"the most densely populated and over-crowded
"districts exists, and in which a large amount
"of disease and death occurs from over-crowding,
"or in other words the want of fresh air. With
"regard to establishments like those of Madame
"Elise, it is almost impossible without professional
"oversight, to prevent over-crowding, in some
"instances neither the heads of the establishments
"nor the young persons in the house have
"sufficient intelligence to know how to ventilate
"rooms, and apply the many means which science
"has suggested. It is a question well worthy the
"consideration of the Legislature, whether some
"systematic inspection under properly educated
"officers might not take place. In all establish-