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60
Many of the deaths occur in very old people, and the apparent
increase in the death returns for this disease may be rightly attributed
to a more correct appreciation of the disease and accuracy in diagnosis.
CIRRHOSIS OF THE LIVER AND
ALCOHOLISM
Six deaths were attributed to each of these diseases, but they in no
way give a correct estimate of the number of deaths rightly attributable
to them, and it is quite the exception to get a death so certified by a
private practitioner.
That so many such deaths occur in instr utions compared with those
occurring elsewhere makes one feel that "respect for the feelings of the
relatives" accounts for many deaths returned as "Dropsy" and
" Neuritis."'
WATER SUPPLY.
The whole district is served by the Metropolitan Water Board.
The supply has been constant and of good quality, and no private
analyses were thought necessary during the year.
Under the Regulations of the Metropolis Water Act, 1871,
"Every cistern used in connection with the water supplied by the
Company shall be made and at all times maintained water tight, and
be properly covered and placed in such a position that it may be
inspected and cleansed."
This provision has been more honoured in the breach than the observance,
but Section 35 of the Public Health Amt. Act of 1907 now
adopted, provides that "any cistern used for the supply of water for
domestic purposes so placed, constructed, or kept as to render the
water therein liable to contamination or likely to cause risk to health" is
a nuisance, and therefore such cisterns can be effectually dealt with in
future.
The Public Baths grow in popularity, and have been largely used by
all sections of the community.
Of the total 119,408 persons using them, 18,915 were boys and girls
from our Elementary Schools.