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have found when too late their sufferings increased and their lives
shortened by removing from us. Of the 87 deaths which occurred in
the three weeks just elapsed, 36 were of children of and under 2 years
of age, and 14 of persons aged 60 years and upwards.
The births in the above period are 124.
A case of fatal Diptheria has been registered in King's Place, Crosby
row.
My attention has been called to three tenements in Gregory Court,
Bermondsey Square. Complaint was made by a police constable, that
they were overcrowded, unfit for human habitation and without
water supply: as regards overcrowding, it appears that No. 2 is occupied
by a man, wife and seven children, which would be undoubtedly more
than could with safety to health occupy so small a tenement, but upon
investigation it appears that three of the children sleep at No. 3, which
is inhabited by an elderly female, the grandmother, who has lived there
for 40 years, and she shares the house with some of her grandchildren
at night. No. 1 is tenanted by a widow with 4 children, but is not so
overcrowded as to justify me in certifying.
There is no water laid on. I am informed, however, by the proprietor
that he is in negotiation with the water company for this desirable
object.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
JOHN CHALLICE,
Officer of Health.
TO THE VESTRY OF BERMONDSEY.
December 21st, 1858.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, —For the week ending December
4th, the deaths registered were 35, being 5 beyond the corrected average
for the last ten years. One death occurred from Diptheria in West
Street, two from Scarlatina, and two from Whooping Cough.
In the week ending December 11th, the mortality is 32, which is as
near as possible the corrected average. Scarlatina shows an increase,
six deaths being registered from this disease, two in each district;
there is one fatal case of Diarrhœa and two of Typhus.
As regards Scarlatina, some discussion has lately taken place with
medical authorities as to the fact whether the poor or the rich were
the greatest sufferers from this malignant, and very frequently epidemic
disease. lam of opinion that the improved condition of the
dwellings of the poor in our Parish has prevented the spreading and
persistence of Scarlatina and Measles in several remarkable instances.
As an illustration I mention Kirby-street, Snow's-fields, and Mellick'splace,
Russell-street, where, formerly, previous to sanitary improvements,
your District Parochial Medical Officers were in almost constant
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