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the part of the late contractor, with the result that the Board
have, in several instances, inflicted a fine.
The past winter, which will he remembered as one of
excessive severity and length, during which there were many
heavy falls of snow which necessitated the use of the snow
ploughs, and also the continual carting of snow, day and
night for weeks together. This, together with the continued
hard frost (which was one of the longest on record), rendered
the clearing of the snow extremoly difficult and laborious.
There was, however, a number of cases in which streets where
the snow was not removed as provided for in the contract,
there being many complaints, I reported the matter to the
Board, when the contractor was fined £75.
I have pleasure in stating that the lighting, cleansing, and
keeping in repair of the public Lamps has been satisfactory.
In only one instance has it been necessary for me to communicate
with the Gas Company.
The Infectious Disease (Notification) Act," which came
into operation in October, 1879, and which was made compulsory
in the Metropolis, has been very effectual. In no one
instance has it come to my knowledge of a case not having
been reported. This, together with the fact that I am in
direct telephonic communication with the Asylum's Board,
greatly facilitates the speedy removal of all cases reported,
the time usually taken from the receipt of the notification
to removal of the patient in the ambulance, being generally
about one hour. I am therefore enabled to greatly expedite the
disinfection of the infected premises, &c. The vast importance
of these matters cannot be over estimated, as it is only by
these means that sanitary authorities are enabled to successfully
grapple with epidemics.
In the vast majority of cases of Scarlet Fever, Diphtheria,
Typhoid Fever, and Membranous Croup, I have had the cases
removed to the Metropolitan Asylum Board's Hospital; 131
out of 156 cases notified have been removed in this way.
I have also periodically inspected the Bakehouses,
Slaughterhouses, Cowhouses, and Lodginghouses throughout
the district, as well as premises upon which an offensive trade
is carried on.
The licenses for Slaughterhouses which are now granted
by the London County Council, subject to the approval of the
Sanitary Authority, were at the last licensing sessions objected
to and have not been renewed. The district is now without a
licensed Slaughterhouse of any description, and has now only
one licensed Cowhouse.