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Gentlemen,
I am sorry to have to report upon the unfavourable state of the public health during
the past four weeks.
Forty-eight births, and fifty-nine deaths, have been registered in the district
The number of deaths is the largest I have had to report to you, and is considerably
above the average; and for the first time since I have held the appointment of
officer of health, is in excess of the births. This is particularly observable in Penge,
where two births and twelve deaths have been recorded.
Twelve deaths have taken place from epidemic disease, namely—
In Blackheath—
Female, 3 months, scarlet fever, Paragon Mews.
Female, 2 months, scarlet fever, Paragon Mews.
Male, 3 months, scarlet fever, Paragon Mews.
Female, 7 months, malignant scarlet fever, Dartmouth Terrace.
In Lewisham—
Female, 1 year, diptheria, Southend.
Female, 13 years, diptheria, Southend.
Male, 5 months, measles, Regent Street.
In Sydenham—
Female, 2 months, hooping cough, West Kent Park.
Female, 4 weeks, hooping cough, West Kent Park.
Male, 4 months, hooping cough, Hamburg Place.
Female, 29 years, typhus fever, Peak Hill.
In Penge—
Female, 10 years, scarlet fever, North Surrey District School.
Although not all included in the Registrar's returns for this week, I am informed
that five deaths have taken place from malignant diptheria in one family at Southend,
resident at the Tiger's Head Inn; and that several more cases have occurred in this
neighbourhood.
It is about eighteen months ago that an epidemic of typhoid fever occurred in this
same locality, which affected upwards of fifty persons.
I have examined the locality in which the above mentioned cases of diptheria have
occurred (the Tiger's Head Inn), and find that the house is dilapidated, and has a
close smell about it. It is situated upon the brink of the river Ravensbourne, and a private
sewer opens into the river close to the house. The river is also offensive from
sewage contained in it.
Paragon Mews I have before brought under your notice; three deaths have occurred
there from scarlet fever.
Peak Hill, Sydenham, is without drainage; a case of typhus fever has occurred
here.
West Kent Park is damp, and insufficiently drained, both as to surface drainage and
sewage, and abounds in cesspools.
I have already brought under your notice the bad state of the roads at the back of
the Forester Inn, and Willow Road, Sydenham. Suffice it to say, that they are