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dense, and the atmosphere so oppressive, that I could not remain within
the building till it had become sufficiently clear for me to observe whether
they were so or not. My belief is, however, that the gas was not
alight; at all events, the bulk or great body of smoke and heated vapour
escaped from the windows, and not from the shafts or chimneys.
My attention has been called to a heap of manure in Little Paulin
street, which is justly complained of by the master of a school in Little
George street; the drainage and moisture from the manure percolates
through the wall of the building, where from 60 to 70 young boys are
at school, giving rise to a most disagreeable, offensive foetor, obnoxious
to health. On further inspection, finding that there was but one privy
of the smallest character, for the use of this school and inhabitants of
the adjoining house, I have certified accordingly.
The sanitary condition of the houses 26, 27, 28 and 29, Star Corner,
demands improvement. To the evils of open and most offensive privies
and defective drainage, there is to be added that of deprivation of water.
The atmosphere of these houses is polluted, tainted to such an extent,
that the dwellings are scarcely fitted for human habitation. The tenant
of one has a child goffering from Leprosy, which she says has not been
benefited by any treatment, either at the Skin or Hospitals, or by
private doctors, and no wonder, the blood is poisoned by the daily and
hourly inhalation of impure air.
The deaths for the last two weeks were 23 and 20 respectively, each
being below the average.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
JOHN CHALLICE, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health.
TO THE VESTRY OF BERMONDSEY.
June 20th, 1859.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,—Although in this Report, which contains
a Review of our Sanitary Condition and Progress during the last
twelve months, there is much matter for our congratulation, I do not
present it with feelings of unmixed satisfaction, as within the above
period it will be observed, there has been a considerable amount of
mortality in our district, from Scarlatina, Measles, Whooping Cough,
and Small Pox.
The deaths from Scarlatina have been 120; from Measles, 71; from
Whooping Cough, 60; from Diarrhœa, 42; from Typhus Fever, 23; and
from Small Pox, 16.
It is of course quite unnecessary for me to speak of the value to mankind
of Vaccination, in the prevention of a disease loathsome in its
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