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Besides these, there were 12 deaths put on the
register without certificates from medical men. These
deaths are on the increase year by year. These cases
should be referred by the local Registrar to the Medical
Officer of Health, otherwise the protection afforded by
the death-register to the lives of the people is much
diminished.
Sanitation.—A review of the Table VI., Appendix,
will satisfy the reader that a great deal of Sanitary Work
has been accomplished during the year, and that those
who were engaged in it did not neglect their duties. I
would suggest, however, that covered carts be used for
scavenging purposes, as dust blown from them is likely
to become a means of propagating disease.
Cow and Slaughter-Houses.—The Annual Inspection
by the Surveyor, the Inspector of Nuisances, and
myself, was made as usual. In some cases repeated
visits had to be made, owing to the slow compliance of
the owners to make necessary alterations.
Heater Supply.—In my last Report (1879), I expressed
the opinion that water could be got both readily
and cheaply from the chalk hills of Kent, water which is
of equable temperature throughout the year, and which
would require neither filtration nor storage. The filtering
beds of the present Company before cleansing are
very filthy. The Hampton intake is about 25 miles
from London Bridge, and the water could be obtained
from Kent at much the same distance. Of the schemes
suggested for procuring water for South London, the
above is the least expensive and most practicable. The
Thames is objectionable as a source of supply for drinking
water.
JOHN MAC DONOGH,
Medical Officer of Health for Clapham.