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57
Two important points were particularly dwelt upon by the
Sanitary Committee, viz.:—the existence of four underground
water cisterns; and a single cistern supplying a closet, and also
yielding the bake-house water supply. The existence of the
underground cisterns was noticed in former inspections. But as
the water when drawn off was found to be clear, there did not
appear to be any reason for their being done away with, although
their existence must always be considered objectionable.
Notices were served to remedy the faults observed, and they
were mostly complied with; the closets in the loft and those
connected with the bake-houses were done away with; also two
of the underground cisterns; one is not used, the handle of the
pump being removed; but in one case, the owner was obdurate,
and summoned before the magistrate, who however refused to
order it to be done away with, as no contamination of the water
could be proved. The direct connexion of the closet with the
water supply, where it existed, was in all cases cut off, by the
interposition of a water-waste preventer.
No child, young person, or woman, was found to be employed
in any bake-house.
Mortuary.—During the year, 271 bodies were brought to
the Mortuary. Of these, 96 were brought for inquest purposes,
upon which 42 post-mortems were made; 108 were Holborn
Union cases, all belonging to Clerkenwell; and 67 were brought
from the houses of parishioners, including 15 cases of Fevers,
and where the corpses would otherwise have remained in living
rooms.
In November of the year, in consequence of a corpse having
been kept in the Mortuary for 15 days, from some mal-arrangement
between the friends and the Relieving Officer, a so called
"Mortuary scandal" arose. My attention was not specially
drawn to the case. The Guardians are bound to bury any corpse
which is dangerous to health, under a magistrate's order, which
can be readily obtained. The Relieving Officer knew of the