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16
The greatest sanitary evil we have to do with, is the occupation
of single rooms by entire families. Perhaps the next is, the mothers
being so frequently compelled to bring up their children "by hand
either because they are obliged to go out to work, or because they
have become so lowered in health by confinement in ill ventilated
rooms, and want of open-air exercise, that the maternal supply of food
for the infants is wanting. The too early artificial feeding, and the
confinement to small over-crowded rooms, where cooking, washing
and sleeping all take place, are the main causes of infantile diarrhoea.
It will be noticed that the deaths from Small Pox are reduced
from 20 to 4. Although no Vaccination Inspector was appointed, the
notices were sent out, during a considerable portion of the year at
least, by the energetic clerk to the Guardians, and undoubtedly with
good effect.
Slaugllter-liouses. These were inspected as usual by the
Sanitary Committee and myself. They were 37 in number, kept by
36 butchers. Any defects found were ordered to be remedied.
Cow-lioiiflcs. These wero also duly inspected. They were
29, kept by 27 cow-keepers; the number of cows being 390. This is
an increase of 120 over the preceding year.
It may be well to notice, that the expression has been made by
the magistrates, that sooner or later all cow-houses and slaughterhouses
within 50 feet of inhabited dwellings will have to be abolished.
It may be noted, that in one Metropolitan District—Whitechapel—
Professor Simonds, of the Royal Veterinary College (the Government
Inspector of Cattle), was engaged by the Vestry to examine and report
upon the adaptability, &c., of the cow-houses to the cows, so as
to lay down the law upon the matter. I believe that a similar proceeding
would be beneficial in this parish. In one of Professor
Simonds' notices, it is stated, "that the dung-pit should be partly
filled in, so that no accumulation of dung should take place. The pit
also requires a better lid." In many instances in this parish, if the
pits were partly filled up and provided with lids, a great deal of the
annoyance now complained of by the inhabitants would be removed.
Bake-houses. These were also inspected as usual by the
Sanitary Committee and myself. They were 67 in number.
Careful investigation was made to ascertain that the terms of the
Bakehouse Regulation Act were complied with.