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78
Seven deaths have occurred from epidemic disease.
One diarrhoea, one fever, Union Workhouse.
One diarrhoea, Brockley Place.
Two scarlatina, Lower Sydenham. Drain filthy. No water.
One scarlatina, Upper Sydenham. Close upon an offensive cow and pig yard.
One diarrhoea, Rushey Green. Offensive ditch. No drainage. No water supply.
One fever, North Surrey School. Want of ventilation and separation.
Scarlet fever is very prevalent (and in some instances fatal), especially in parts of the
Sydenham District. And here I have particularly to urge upon your attention the
drainage and water supply of the district, which might by your order be rendered
healthy. The disease has now continued for the last three months, fixing itself upon
the dirty and unwholesome localities which landlords are too careless and parsimonious
to have properly cleaned.
Diarrhœa still shows itself occasionally, but is gradually disappearing.
Twenty-nine cases of fever have occurred during the last four weeks at the North
Surrey School.
I have before stated my opinion that the infirmary attached to the school, unlike the
main building, is ill constructed for its purpose; that there is at present no means of
thorough ventilation ; and that the numerous water-closets within its walls (which are
occasionally flushed) are unnecessary, and render the atmosphere offensive and unwholesome.
A fever ward, separated and placed at a distance from the infirmary and school, where
so many children are congregated together (nearly 700), should be constructed for the
immediate isolation of cases of epidemic disease, which is sure at some time or other to
affect the inmates, and I am afraid, under existing arrangements, equally sure to be
fatal.
I have received several complaints from inhabitants residing in the neighbourhood of
the brickfield in Dartmouth Park, Forest Hill, respecting the noxious and unpleasant
fumes from the above-named brickfield.
It is a very common notion that where there is abundance of fresh air, any quantity
of decomposing or noxious matter proves harmless. Although when there is great dilution
less mischief may ensue, still there can be no greater mistake than to suppose that
no harm results.
In all cases of the above kind (brickfields, limekilns, ballast burning, &c.), the great
amount of carbonic acid and oxide evolved must quite poison the air in the direction in
which it is wafted; in addition to which, in the present instance, the water used for the
manufacture of bricks is a collection of sewage, which I before mentioned as being detained
for this purpose in its progress through the ditches (and which might be altogether
carried into the sewer). This must throw out, during the process of drying, sulphuretted
hydrogen gas. The deadly nature of these gases, even when partially diluted, I fully
explained in my first report (January, 1856).
Many nuisances require your order for their removal, and if I might suggest a plan, it
would be that streets and houses should be taken in rotation, seeing that every house is
drained and supplied with water before proceeding to the next, and summoning parties
who refuse or neglect the order of the Board. In this way my report of nuisances would
soon be shortened.
Lewisham.—The houses are in the same state as when before reported upon in June
last, after a house to house visitation.
At Loampit Vale and Loampit Hill I have made a house to house visitation, and beg
to draw your attention to the filthy state in which these houses are. I mention a few
below.
Providence Row. Privies full and offensive. Supplied with water by pump.
Main Road, Loampit Hill and Vale. Mrs. Pantony, Mrs. Jaynes. Privy and cesspool
offensive, oozes through copper-hole into house. Yard dirty; no water.
Mr. Smith. Privy full and offensive, dilapidated, no door, no water supply ; greatly
distressed for it.
Mrs. Tower, Mrs. Coomber, Mrs. Ireland, Mrs. Hayes. Privies full and offensive;
dirty yards ; no drainage; no water supply.
Dartmouth Cottages, Loampit Vale. Offensive privies run into the ditch immediately
behind.
The sewer runs in front of all these houses.