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81
509 cases of small pox were reported to the Sanitary Department,
of which 468 were for isolation removed to hospital; 41
could not be removed, of these 13 died. There are no data to
show how many cases had occurred in private houses which were
not reported.
Means for isolating the infected persons have been at all times in
the year available in the hospitals of the Asylums Board, and but little
difficulties have been experienced in otherwise obtaining the removal
of the infected. But in some dwellings containing several families
where infectious disorders occurred, whilst the sick were isolated
by removal to the hospital, the dwellings could not be efficiently
disinfected and cleansed, for the infected rooms could not be
emptied, or there was no place into which the remaining members
of the infected family could be removed. Such a place should be
provided, especially to prevent infectious disease extending in
crowded poor districts.
DWELLINGS IMPROVED.—It is now recognized that
disease, acute and chronic, is the result of slow, insidious
deterioration in the functions and structures of the body; determined
by injurious conditions slowly accumulating. The injurious
conditions are usually not felt until the disease is extensively
produced. Hence the Sanitary Authority, year by year, endeavours
to remove unhealthy conditions, knowing, that if they are allowed
to remain, they must of necessity destroy health, and to a greater
extent than persons will for awhile perceive.
In the past year, to secure that protection, 1,856 premises have
been inspected. In 1,621 of these dwellings, conditions dangerous
to health were found, and the owners were called on to make the
requisite alterations.
In and around dwellings it is indispensable for health to
promote as much freshness as possible, therefore it is absolutely
necessary to remove rubbish and decomposing refuse as much as
possible from the dwellings. The freshness comes by the healthful
circulation of air and other elementary powers in and around the
dwellings; but it cannot circulate and sweeten the walls if they
are dangerously damp, for such accumulation of water hinders that