Report of the Medical Officer of Health to the Vestry of Mile End Old Town.

  • Hamlet of Mile End Old Town (London, England). Parish. Vestry.
Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Credit: Report of the Medical Officer of Health to the Vestry of Mile End Old Town. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    14 WEEKLY MORTALITY RETURNS. The supply of the weekly mortality returns of the District Regis trars would enable me to carry out my plans much more efficiently. Without them, I can only express my opinion as to the state of the health of the Hamlet; with them, I should be able to lay before you periodical statements in figures, which would convey absolute facts. But, as the Vestry are aware, they are not at present to be had in a form applicable to this Hamlet, without purchasing them of the District Registrars, or at least remunerating them for the trouble of furnishing the written statements required. From the Registrar General's weekly returns can be had statements of the mortality in the Stepney Union ; but, if that were adopted, it would give a very inaccurate return of that of Mile End Old Town, which forms the healthiest portion of that Union. In the absence of these returns, I have been obliged to report special cases to the Committee for Drainage, Sewerage, and Nuisances, to inquire into particular cases of disease, with a view to trace their causes, and to ascertain whether they were removable or otherwise; and I have endeavoured, mainly by persuasion, suggestion, and influ ence, to correct some of the defects of which it is my special duty to procure the removal. In conclusion, I beg to remark that in constructing this Report I have endeavoured, as far as possible, to adhere to the specification in the Minute of the Board of Health, as to the nature of the information desired. In doing so, I am fully aware that I have communicated many facts previously well known to those whom 1 have the honor to address, but as it was necessary to follow some outline I felt that I could not have a better guide than the Minute referred to. I have the honour to be, Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, J. H. FREEMAN, Medical Officer of Health for Mile End Old Town. Town House, June 4th, 1866.
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