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human remains in various stages of decomposition. I have great anxiety
lest this spot should become a dangerous public nuisance.
Several cases of Fever have been brought under my notice in the Blue
Anchor Road district; the drainage is here, as before stated, most defective,
I entreat the Vestry to direct its earnest attention to this
important subject, comprising the vital interests of a large and daily
increasing population.
Notwithstanding the high rate of temperature, the health of the
parish, as indicated by the mortality and the returns of the medical
officers, appears to be satisfactory.
For the week ending 19th of February, the deaths were 18, viz., 10
in St. James's, 5 in St. Mary Magdalen, and 3 in Leather Market district.
The births were 56 in the same period, and the corrected average of
deaths would have been 28.
In the week ending February 26th the mortality was 22, the corrected
average being 25. The deaths were thus distributed,—9 in St.
James's, 7 in St. Mary Magdalen, and 6 in the Leather Market. The
births in the same period were 62; a figure which represents a most
remarkable increase of population. In the St. James's district the births
were 32, whilst the deaths were but 9.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
JOHN CHALLICE,
TO THE VESTRY OF BERMONDSEY.
March 21st, 1859.
Mr. Chairman and Gen Gentlemen,-In the week ending March 5th, the
deaths in the parish registered were 24, the corrected average would bo
28; in the epidemic class we had but one death, which was from
"Whooping Cough. There were 7 deaths in St. Mary Magdalen, and
9 births; 12 in the Leather Market, and 14 births; and in St. James's
but 5, whilst the births were 21.
For the week terminating March 12th the deaths were 19, the corrected
average being 30-6; 2 children's deaths are registered, each aged
3 years, under the head of Diptheria; one was the son of a Bricklayer,
in Baalzephon-street, and the other that of a daughter of a Railway
Porter, at No. 20, Willow-street. In the latter case the throat disease
was preceded by Scarlatina. There are 8 other children in the house,
who appear to have escaped any contagion, and therefore it may be
assumed that the disease was not of the malignant or epidemic form
elsewhere so fatal. The sanitary arrangements of the house are not
objectionable._ The little boy in Baalzephon-street had been ill for
some time, his parents having about three weeks ago removed from
Haggerstone. There have been 5 cases of Small Pox lately in this
house, the children, all of one family, were unvaccinated when it broke
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