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thus removed: the number has therefore increased, but the increase is
not in proportion to the additional number of cases reported; but that
is only what might be expected, considering that many of the infected
persons do not belong to tbe pauper class, and that their house
accommodation is large enough to permit of them being isolated ta
home. Where there is such accommodation and isolation practicable,
the Sanitary Officer has to see that the rooms (one or more according
to their condition) are properly cleansed and disinfected, and to the
disinfection of the infected bedding and other articles; and he has to
inspect the premises to see if the drainage is defective, and if there be
any accumulation of decomposing organic matters, which would tend
to give rise to infectious diseases; to examine if the water supply and
closet arrangements are suitable to health, and if there be sufficient
lighting and ventilation in dwellings, or any overcrowding.
It is obvious that in the working of this Act much judgment and
tact is required to induce reasonable precautions being taken to prevent
the spread of the disease, and to secure the premises and bedding
being properly disinfected.
The operation of this Act will afford the Medical Officer of Health
much valuable information as to the prevalence of infectious diseases,
and what localities and what unhealthy conditions promote the
occurence and spread of such disease in the parish.
I regret that I have to report that the returns issued weekly by
the Asylums Board shew that in the Autumn of last year Scarlet Fever
was more prevalent in Shoreditch than in many other of the
Metropolitan Parishes ; and the returns of some weeks shewed that
there were more cases in Shoreditch than in any other parish, with
one or two exceptions. But when the number of cases reported from
each parish was considered, with the respective population of the
parishes, then Shoreditch contrasts more favourably : it manifests that
in proportion to the population, Shoreditch did not on the whole
compare unfavourably.
Nevertheless, I cannot overlook that in this and in previous
epidemics of Scarlet Fever this parish has suffered severely, and
similarly with Small-pox epidemics. Undoubtedly there are unhealthy