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of course many cases which did not result in the development of
Fever of a typical character; and 549 cases of Lung Inflammation.
The grand total of cases of all kinds of disease and accident was 7159,
being an increase of 1014 upon the preceding year; but less by 403
than in 1861.
Overcrowding.—In the face of the necessities of the population, it is
becoming more and more difficult to counteract the tendency to aggregation.
House-rent is too material an element in the expenditure of the
labouring man, to permit of his indulging in the luxury of space. To
tell a man living with his family in one room, that he must hire another
in order to lessen tho evil of overcrowding, is in effect to tell him to
increase his income by four or five shillings a week. It is only in tho
case of "indecent occupation," that is where adults or adolescents of
different sexes live together that the law can be effectually appealed
to. We are thus thrown back upon palliative measures. Tho
most effectual of these is the improvement of ventilation. By tho
construction of back windows in stair-cases and rooms, by the provision
of ventilating valves in chimneys, and other means, much is done to
prevent the accumulation of bad air, and to render small tenements
more habitable. A secondary benefit resulting from the piercing of
back windows, which often weighs with me in recommending this work,
is that it secures light from two aspects; thus virtually lengthening the
day and often securing a period of sunshine. In this way very much
has been done; and the work is still being systematically extended under
the active superintendence of the Special Sanitary Committee.
The Special Sanitary Committee.—This year a Special Sanitary
Committee has been established on the motion of Mr. Sarson. Tho
Committee has been in active work down to the present time, under tho
Chairmanship of Mr. Bagley, the Churchwarden.
Considerable progress has been made in a systematic house-to-house
visitation. In the Clerk's report will be found a summary of tho meetings
held, the number of houses inspected; the number of sanitary
orders issued and executed.
A separate Minute book containg a rccord of the condition of every