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those who aro now agitating for a specific number of feet of ward
room for the poor of our Workhouses—apparently irrespective of
differences of position and ventilation—or offering any palliation for
any evils which have been disclosed in respect to the management and
accommodation of some of the Metropolitan Workhouses; still, it may
bo doubted whether a correct knowledge of the far more deplorable state
of the helpless and sick poor outsido would not lead to a diversion, in
their favour, of some of this commendable zeal. In a vast number of
instances, families, numbering from four to seven persons, ill or well,
livo, cook, wash, and sleep in rooms the dimensions of which aro not
greater than is now demanded for each sick person in the Workhouse.
Legislation for house-room is confessedly more difficult
than for Workhouse accommodation, and possibly this blot upon
our civilization can only bo effectually diminished by considerablo
personal effort and sacrifice on tho part of those who have been
blessed with an abundance of pecuniary means. This object however
will nover be accomplished until the profound ignorance of tho
upper classes in respect to the dwellings and habits of the poor is
dispelled; and sentimentalism and the love of popularity give place to
an unobtrusive, conscientious, and self-sacrificing dischargo of duty.
I havo already brought before you the principal points of
interest disclosed by the statistical tables annexed to this Report.
I now respectfully invito you to peruse them. So far as the past is
concerned, they havo never been compiled with greater pleasure.
They exhibit a diminished aggregate mortality, and a diminished
mortality from Epidemic Disease; and also a favorable contrast with
other districts. These are encouragements to work; and although
tho futuro is somewhat clouded, in view of the importance of the
facts and opinions I havo already advanced, and also with the
prospect of coming disease, your officers have during tho past year
endeavoured, to the best of their ability, to arrest its progress. I
especially commend to your attention tho table of sanitary work, in
tho accomplishment of which your Inspector has displayed his
accustomed zeal. Nearly three thousand visits have been made,
558 houses inspected, tho same number of notices issued; 9
cesspools emptied and drained into tho sewer; 147 drains and
privies cleansed and repaired; 247 dirty houses cleansed and
whitewashed; and 27 drains trapped; besides numerous other
important sanitary works, including tho inspection of 136 slaughter,
cow, and bake-houses.
It is again my pleasing duty to thank the Board and all its
officers for their kind consideration towards me, and harmonious
co-operation in all my attempts to discharge my duty.
I am,
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
ROBERT BIANCHI.