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I have not the slightest doubt that all these cases are polluting
the atmosphere and seriously affecting the health of the inhabitants in
the neighbourhood.
The accumulation of damaged grain in the Railway arches has been
by order of the magistrate removed.
I am happy also to be able to report to the Vestry that, after an
adjourned hearing before the magistrate, the removal of the serious
nuisance complained of in the yard of Mr. Cripps, Swan Mead, has
been at last effected.
The premises of Mr. Axtell, in Bermondsey-street, are less offensive
than heretofore, but are still capable of improvement.
The mortality in the parish during the last three weeks has been
respectively 24, 27, and 31, in this period there have been 9 deaths
from Diarrhœa in children, and 1 case of Diptheria.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your very obedient Servant,
JOHN CHALLICE, M.D.,
Officer of Health.
TO THE VESTRY OF BERMONDSEY.
September 20th, 1858.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,—As compared with the average for
the last ten years, the mortality of our district during the two weeks
ending Sept. 4th and 11th may be viewed in a favourable aspect, the
deaths being 25 and 24, and the average 38 and 44. It will be useful
however to bear in mind that this average is swollen by deaths which
occurred in corresponding weeks in the years 1849, 1854, when epidemic
cholera raged amongst us; the mortality being 98 and 134 in
the week ending Sept. 4th, and 132 and 161 in the following week of
these two years.
Visitations of epidemic disease bear a strong similarity in many
respects to periods of monetary and commercial panics; when present,
alarm and consternation, with hasty and often ill-advised measures,
frequently add to their severity and propagation. Now, then, is the
time for measures of precaution and prevention, and it is in St. James'
district that I earnestly ask for vigorous action on the part of the
Vestry.
The urgency and necessity for further sanitary improvement of this
large and growing portion of the population of our parish is manifested
by the fact, that in the week ending Sept. 11th, of 14 deaths which
occurred in the entire parish from preventible diseases, no less than 9
were in St. James.
In some degree this comparative unhealthiness is doubtless owing to
the imperfect drainage, which is now in the course of very material
rectification and improvement. I consider it advisable that prompt
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