Inaugural address / by Joseph Fayrer, Bart., K.C.S.I., LL.D. Edin & St. And., M.D. Edin., F.R.C.P. Eng., Q.H.P., F.R.S.

  • Fayrer, Joseph, Sir, 1824-1907
Date:
[1898?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Inaugural address / by Joseph Fayrer, Bart., K.C.S.I., LL.D. Edin & St. And., M.D. Edin., F.R.C.P. Eng., Q.H.P., F.R.S. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    it is remarkable, has still a higher death-rate than some other 9 7 O great cities. Since 1S82 up to 1897 it has stood at from 21*6 to 202, and the same authority points out sanitary defects which one may venture to think might be ameliorated. In the first week of July in thirty-three of the largest English towns the rate of mortality, which had been 15*1 and 14*9 per thousand in the two preceding weeks, declined to 14*7. It was 14*3 in London, whilst it averaged 14*9 in the thirty-two provin¬ cial towns. The lowest death-rates were 9*4 in Cardiff, 9*7 in Huddersfield, 10*3 in Brighton. The highest rates were 17*9 in Plymouth, 20*3 in Newcastle, 21*4 in Sunderland. When the last quinquennium is compared with the preceding decen- nium it is found that Blackburn and Huddersfield have reduced their death-rate 4, Halifax and Cardiff 3*8, Oldham 3*7, Preston 3*4, Manchester 3*3 per thousand, while Birmingham has been practically at a stand-still.* If I am not mistaken, your own eminent health officer thinks that if the death-rate is to be reduced, it is essential that the improvements should be con¬ tinued which had such a good effect some years ago. I merely venture to suggest it as a hint that may be worthy of the con¬ sideration of the municipal authorities. Apropos of London, Sir Henry Burdett said in a speech made last year : “ London, unfortunately, in regard to certain health matters is still under the control of the Vestries. * * * In the district of - for example, in this year of the Diamond Jubilee (wherein the greatness and majesty of the British Empire has been so convincingly exhibited,) the streets of one of the wealthiest portions of London are left unswept and uncared for from Saturday to Monday in each week. No matter how high the temperature, or how filthy the streets may be, the streets of probably the wealthiest district in the Metro¬ polis of the Empire are made dangerous to health. * * * * Some of the most influential of the residents have entreated and protested in vain. The intelligent foreigner, to his sur¬ prise and disgust, may see in the streets of-on any Sunday when the principal residents are at home all day, fermenting filth and even dead cats, dirty papers and various kinds of offal, which offend the senses and infect the atmosphere to the danger of the inhabitants. Such a state of affairs is as shameful as it is unaccountable.’' He might have added a paragraph upon the abominable and insanitary practice of sending out the vestry dust-carts to take away the house refuse at all times of the day. This