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to the
Urban District Council of Barnes.
January, 1896.
Gentlemen,
There was more sickness, and consequently a higher
death-rate, for the past than the preceding year; it is difficult to
find a satisfactory reason for this. There was certainly some
influenza in the early part which caused some deaths from
bronchitis and pneumonia, and there were also more fatal cases of
diphtheria, but not sufficient to account for the increase. The year
was very trying to old people; no less than 64 died over 65 years of
age out of a total of 218, which is considerably more than a fourth
of the whole. Seventeen of the 64 were over 70, and some between
80 and 90; the number of those who died over 65 in the two
preceding years was 40 and 42.
The sanitary condition of the district, as a whole, is satisfactory.
There are defects, especially in the construction of
houses built before the adoption of the Building Bye-laws, but
these are under constant inspection, and such work as is necessary
to keep them in a wholesome condition is promptly effected.
Most of the worst constructed, and those which were unfit for
habitation, have been pulled down or closed, but where it has
been found possible to convert them into healthy dwellings, this
has been done. i have had to certify nine as unfit for habitation
during the year, eight of which have been closed and one
temporarily improved.
Many important changes have been effected in the district
since the passing of the Sanitary Acts in 1875, one of which was