The Sun.
London, England, 1839-11-29 00:00:00

INQUIRY AS TO THE PREVALENCE OF THE CAUSES OF
DISEASE, OR VIE SANATORY CONDITION OF THE
POORER CLASSES, AS AFFECTED CHIEFLY BY THE
SITUATION AND CONSTRUCTION OF THEIR DWEL-
LINGS.
The Fourth and Fifth Annual Reports of the Poor-law
Commissioners set forth, upon the Reports of Dr. Ar-
nott, Dr. Kay, and Dr. Southwood Smith, and other
medical men, the prevalence of certain causes of disease,
and consequent destitution and claims to relief, amongst
the labouring classes of the metropolis. In these Re-
ports it was stated that out of 77,184 cases of claims to
relief during the year ended 25th March, 1838, 13,972
were cases of claims to relief arising from fever in va-
rious forms prevalent in certain localities distinguished
by want of drainage and other causes. At the close
of the last Session of Parliament an order was passed
by the House of Lords, that an humble address be pre-
sented to her Majesty, praying " that her Majesty will
be pleased to cause inquiry to be made as to the extent
to which the causes of disease stated in the Appendix
A., No. 1, of the Poor-law Commissioners' Fourth An-
nual Report, and Appendix C., No. 2, of their Fifth
Annual Report, to prevail amongst the labouring
classes in the metropolis, prevail also amongst the la-
bouring classes in other parts of England and
Wales ; and that her Majesty will be graciously pleased
to cause the results of such inquiry to be communicated
to the House."
• The Poor-law Commissioners, in pursuance of the
extended inquiry which they were directed to make
.by
this order, have transmitted the following instructional
letter to the medical officers of the new Unions throughout
England and Wales, and have also directed special in-
quiries to be made in several of the larger towns
" Poor-law Commission Office, Somerset House,
Nov. 12, 1839.
" Sir,—With the view of ascertaining the extent of
the existence of circumstances promoting the prevalence
of contagious and infectious diseases described in the
Reports referred to in the order of the House of
Lords, set forth in the letter from Lord John Russell, a
copy of' which is hereto annexed, you are requested to
fill from the medical relief lists the enclosed returns, and
transmit them to the Clerk of the Union, with such ob-
servations as occur to you thereon.
" You will observe that the object of the Commis-
sioners is to ascertain the existence and extent of the
visible and removable tiger's es promoting the prevalence
of such diseases as are commonly found connected with
the defects in the situation and structure or internal
economy of the residences of the labouring classes.
" The attention of the physicians who drew reports
on the state of the metropolis was almost exclusively
directed to the causes affecting 'the prevalence of va-
rious forms of continued fever, arranged under distin-
guishing names adopted by nosological writers ; but in
rural districts the prevalence of ague and of smallpox
and scarlet fever may be worthy of notice when the
causes promoting their prevalence appear removable.
" You will, in your observations on the class of cases
returned, note the situation and character and quality of
the tenements in which the diseases have occurred ;
whether they are situated in a neighbourhood habitually
infected with malaria; whether there are occasional causes
of malaria, such as floods, &c., and in such cases whether
you have any suggestions to make as to the best means
of diminishing the evil ; whether they are drained
or undrained, weather-tight or otherwise ; whether there
are good means of securing ventilation with a due re-
gard to warmth; whether there are accumulations of filth,
and if so, whether they are ascribable to the slovenly
or indolent habits of the inmates, or to the want of pro-
per receptacles for refuse ; whether the occurrence of
disease amidst this part of the population is regular or
otherwise, and what are the seasons at which it appears,
and its characterist'e;.
" The Commissioners request that you will favour
them with any information which you may have gained
in the course of your medical experience as to the con-
dition of the inmates of such residences—whether
there is need of superior cottage accommodation, or
to what extent the improvement of the residence
would influence the habits beneficially, as, for example
—whether you ha%s witnessed any beneficial ef-
fels on the habits of the inmates by providing cot-
tages with a day room, scullery, pantry, three bed-
rooms, and convenient receptacles for refuse and for
fuel—whether within your district there are other la
bourers of the like class, who occupy improved tenements
in a superior situation, and what is the general health
and condition of the inmates, as compared with the
general health and condition of the inmates advantage-
ously situated—whether you have seen any cottages con-
structed with a view to the most economical manage-
ment of fuel both in cooking and maintaining a proper
temperature in the rooms ;—and further, any observa-
tions that may occur to you on the subject of the health
of the labouring classes in connection with what may
appear to you to be available sanatory regulations.
" The accompanying portions of the Report, and the
Appendix referred to in their Lordships' order, are trans-
mitted for your information as to the causes of disease
existing in the metropolis, which it is deemed necessary
to investigate in other parts of the country.
" Signed, by order of the Board,
" EDWIN CHADWICK."