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2. That adequate provision should at once be made by cach district for the reception
and treatment, with proper isolation, of a considerable number of typhus eases during
the ensuing winter.
3. That, at the present time, the overcrowding of small tenements should in a special
manner receive the attention of sanitary officers.
4. That, as occasion may arise the connection between privation and typhus should
be instated on, with a view to the adoption of liberal relief to the poor, in respect of
food, tiring, and clothing. with reference to the accommodation for casual paupers, it
may be necesaary to call attention to the adequacy or inadequacy of the existing vagrant
wards. And considering that typhus fever is at any time liable to be introduced into
such wards, attention may w 11 be directed to their construction and management.
(On behalf of tho Association),
R. D. Thomson, President.
Geokoe Buchanan}
J. Northcote Vinen,} Hon. Sees."
I can
orate the stateme nt of Mr. Somers, whose letter is appended, as to the
state of tho house named on the West Kent Park estate.
" N"ith Road, West Kent Park, 1st December, 1863.
Sir—I take the liberty of bringing under your notice, that many severe and fatal
Cases of fever have occurred during the last few weeks amongst the families of the
working men resident on this estate. The condition of many of the small houses is such
as to render them perfect nurseries of malaria and fever; in the smallest of five-roomed
cottages as many as 17 or 18 men, women, and children are living; many of these cottages
are considerably below the level of the road, having no escape for the surface
water; their drainage and water supply of the most imperfect description; the floors
and walls reeking with moisture, and certainly totally unfit for human habitation.
Mr. Treverton, your Hoard's Surveyor, has inspected some houses 1 have pointed out
to him, situate in the Park Road, the property of Mr. George Browne, of Sydenham
Park, and will be able to report to the Board the condition he found them in. I trust
that the Board will order some inspection to be made of this district, with a view to its
sanitary improvement.
I remain, Sir,
Your obedient servant,
Jas. Somers."
' The Chairman, &c., District Board of Works,
Lewisham."
I have to call your attention to the Act for the Regulation of Bakehouses, limiting
the hours of labour, and making regulations with respect to cleanliness and ventilation.
It is most important that these regulations should, as much as possible, be carried out,
both for tho sake of those employed in the manufacture and to ensure sweet and
wholesome bread for the public use.
Meteorological tables and tables of mortality are appended as usual.