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Gentlemen,
During the five weeks comprised between the 21st of April and the 26th of May,
sixty-nine births and thirty-six deaths have been registered.
The mortality has thus been below the average of the last five years, and the inhabitants
of the district have, since my last report, considerably improved in health.
Four deaths have occurred from zymotic disease during the month, namely—
24th April. Scarlet fever, Shepherd's Place, Lewisham.
23rd „ Measles, Cross Street, Lewisham.
9th May. Bilious fever, Lewis Grove, Lewisham.
16th „ Scarlet fever, Blackheath Hill.
No zymotic disease has been extensively prevalent; but a few cases of scarlet fever
and measles have occurred sporadically.
I have to call your attention to a few nuisances prejudicial to health which require
remedying, namely—
The sewage from 'houses situate close to Forest Hill church (in Dartmouth Park)
runs openly down the valley and discharges itself into the ditch in Perry Yale, passing
in its course two houses, to the inhabitants of which it is a dangerous nuisance.
An offensive pond of stagnant water lies at the back of Emerson Terrace.
Some of the land in Stanstead and Brockley Lanes is also marshy, from an accumulation
of water, which is prevented running from the land in consequence of the elevation
of the footpath. Malaria will rise when the sun's rays partially dry this locality; and
already two cases of ague have occurred in the adjoining neighbourhood.
The drainage of a part of the Laurie Road has hitherto been conveyed underneath the
railway into a pond upon Mr. W. Smith's property, where it has deposited and become
diluted and partially oxydized. The pond overflows into ditches running across Penge
Lane, and thence in open ditches at the back of the property upon the south side oi
Lower Sydenham, where it appears to have been little noticed. Mr. Smith has recently
diverted the sewage from the pond, and it will now run undiluted in the course named,
and must become a most aggravated nuisance. If no sewer can be constructed, a deodorizing
tank should, at all events, be placed here.