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22
Gentlemen,
During the month ending upon Saturday, the 21st December, sixty-five births and
thirty-three deaths have been registered.
The mortality of the district has been less than that of last year, when forty-four
deaths were recorded, and considerably less than the average number, which, without
including increase of population, has been for the last six years, thirty-six.
The health of the district has suffered from the rapid and considerable changes of
temperature, which have occurred during the month ; catarrhs and sore throats have
been prevalent as well as hooping cough and scarlatina.
A second instance of the occurrence of endemic zymotic disease, manifestly occasioned
by imperfect drainage, has made its appearance in a new semi-detached house in Havensbourne
Park, Lewisham, in which the drains were untrapped (the escaping sulphuretted
hydrogen blacking the water pipes which were painted with white lead, which
substance always indicates the presence of this poisonous gas), and to which no air
shaft was supplied to relieve the sewer of its foul gases. Of six inhabitants of this
house, two servants were dangerously affected with typhoid fever, the master and mistress
of the house were affected, the former with prostrating diarrhoea, the latter with
dangerous typhoid diarrhoea, and the infant with an alarming attack of diarrhoea; so
that out of six residents, five risked their lives from exposure to the poison.
The inhabitants of the adjoining house were also suffering to a less degree from the
same cause, and in the first case I directed the family to be moved from the house
until the drains were put into complete order.
Since my last report the offensive gullies complained of in Dartmouth Park, have
been trapped, but two large additional air shafts have been placed in the road, which
send forth a most disgusting effluvium, which is to be detected for a considerable distance
; such air shafts if necessary, should be supplied with charcoal boxes at their
outlet, to destroy their poisonous emanations.
Three deaths only have occurred from zymotic disease, namely—
In Blackheath—
22nd Nov. Female, 20 months, hooping cough, Spencer place.
In Sydenham—
30th Nov. Female, 6 months, diarrhoea, Orchard Place.
In Lewisham—
11th Dec. Female, 3 years, scarlet fever, Regent Street.
Of the deaths in the district, five have taken place under 5 years of age; three above
the age of 60 years; six above the age of 70 years; five above the age of 80 years;
and one above the age of 90 years.
Meteorological tables and tables of mortality are appended as usual.