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carefully watched for an occasional instance of disease occurring
in the family of a borrower of books from the library, it soon
became an irksome duty and gradually fell into disuse. Now, in
the investigation of every case of infectious disease occurring in
the Parish, the Inspectors ask the following questions:—1st.
Does any one in the family borrow books from the Public
Library? 2nd. Is there any Public Library book in the house
at present? If the answer to the first question is yes, the
Library officials are informed of the fact, so that books may be
refused to that house till notice of disinfection has been received,
and if any book is found which has been exposed to infection it
is taken possession of by the Inspector and destroyed. Notification
of this fact also being forwarded to the library.
The deaths of infants under one year of age occurring in
the Parish were 342 against 357 in the previous year.
151 inquests were held in the year, 37 more than in the
preceding year,
Cowhouses.—The few cowhouses and slaughter houses in
the district were duly inspected and found in satisfactory condition
with the exception of some defective paving, which was attended
to as soon as brought to the notice of the proprietor.
Bakehouses.—The bakehouses have improved considerably
with respect to cleanliness, as a general rule, but in one case we
were obliged to take police court proceedings, with the practical
result of closing the bakehouse for the time being.
Disinfecting Apparatus.—At the close of the year 1896,
after receiving a report from the Medical Officer of Health on the
relative advantages of steam and hot air for purposes of disinfection,
a resolution was passed by the Vestry adopting the principle
of steam disinfection and calling upon the Public Health Committee
to report on the most suitable form of apparatus.
During tbe earlier months of tho year, the Committee
visited various places in London where different types of
apparatus were in use. Subsequently they presented their
report, and on the Gth of May a decision was come to by the