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30
Every year a few deaths are registered as arising from
Cholera, in this Parish; the numbers for the preceding 6 years
having been 1, 1, 4, 1, 2, and 7, respectively. But during the
year 1866 the disease prevailed extensively in the Metropolis,
and this Parish had its share.
The Cholera appeared epidemically in the Metropolis in
the beginning of July. The first death occurred in this Parish,
in one of the best houses and well tenanted, on the 30th June.
It was attributed to English Cholera, and on inspection nothing
was found amiss about the house and premises.
On the issuing of the "Order in Council," dated July 21st,
1866, the Sanitary Committee was summoned to carry out its
provisions. The first meeting took place on July 30th. The
meetings were held three times a week for four weeks; subsequently
twice and once a week, as occasion required; the total
number of meetings being 33. The first proceeding consisted
in issuing letters of request to the legally qualified medical
practitioners, and printed forms to be filled up and sent to the
Vestry, to acquaint them of the presence of Cholera or severe
Diarrhoea in the Parish, and of its locality. These forms were
not very satisfactorily returned. In some cases they were made
once or twice only, and with the exception of the medical
visitors, and one or two others, they were extremely incomplete;
so that the total of cases recorded by no means represents
accurately the cases which occurred.
At the same time, Medical Visitors were appointed; of these
there were four, spread over the district. To them were given
the powers required by the Order in Council:—to provide
assistants, if necessary; to visit infected places, and to supply
medicines and attend all cases of Diarrhoea or Cholera which
might come under their notice; to report nuisances; to communicate
with the Relieving Officers in cases requiring relief;
to administer any relief immediately required, and to provide
proper accommodation for these having no home.
Six Dispensaries were open day and night, to supply
medicines and disinfectants; and more than 2200 persons
received medical relief from them.
Where cases of Cholera were known to have occurred, the
localities were inspected, always by myself—mostly by the
Medical Visitors; and proper means were taken to cleanse the
premises, disinfectants being ordered, and supplied gratis to
disinfect the premises, the discharges, the bedding, clothing, &c.