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division of the parish was equally prolific, giving a total of 39 births
against 18 deaths.
For the week ending March 26th the health of the parish, as illustrated
by the rate of mortality, was satisfactory in a most remarkable
degree. The deaths registered were but 14; a lower number than in
any corresponding week for the last 19 years. In the Leather Market
district the deaths were 2, one from Scarlatina, in Edward Street, and the
births were 15. In St. Mary Magdalen the deaths were 4, none from
Zymotic disease, and the births were 16. In St. James's the deaths
were 8; one from Typhus, in Meridian Place, engendered by personal
filth and overcrowding, and the births were 15, a preponderance of
births over deaths of more than 300 per cent., a fact which requires
no comment.
It is worthy of remark that the temperature of the week was nearly
50 degrees above the average, which may, in some degree have had a
favourable influence upon the health of the population at this season
of the year.
I have learnt with satisfaction from your inspector that the Gipsies
in Brown's Fields have taken their departure, in consequence of the
notice served upon them to conform to the usages of civilised society.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant
J. CHALLICE, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health.
TO THE VESTRY OF BERMONDSEY.
April 18th, 1859.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,- Although the district of St. James
suffered to some extent from Scarlatina in the week ending April 2nd,
there having been three deaths from this cause, one from Measles, and
one from Small Pox unvaccinated, the entire mortality for the whole
parish was but 21, while the corrected average is 29.5. In the Leather
Market district 2 fatal cases of Scarlatina are likewise registered. The
St. Mary Magdalen district is free from any mortality, occasioned by
Zymotic disease. The births registered in the week were 48. For
the week ending April 9th the mortality was 25, the average being
27.9.
There is one case of death ascribed to Diphtheria at 151 in the Grange
Road. I find upon enquiry no assignable cause, the sanitary condition
of the house being in every respect satisfactory. The mother considers
it to have been more a case of Croup, at all events there are no symptoms
of this disease in any other inmates of the house.
There is a fatal case of Typhus in St. James Street, and one of Scar-
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