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I may perhaps be permitted to offer an opinion upon the plan in
operation by the Metropolitan Board of Works, for deodorising the
putrescent waters of the Thames, by quantities of lime cast
into the sewers. As regards the Thames, the good effects are not
very manifest; but as regards the sewers, and its action checking
foul and injurious emanations from the gulley holes and air
shafts into the streets, I have satisfied myself that the results are
decidedly of a most beneficial character-in fact a great preservative
of public health.
I am not aware that we are participating, to our due and fair extent,
in this advantage-I believe the contrary. Great benefit would,
I know, accrue to our district, were lime, copiously mixed with water,
and a proper admixture of chloride of lime, let daily into some of the
large main sewers of our parish.
I am, Gentlemen,
Yours faithfully,
JOHN CHALLICE, M.D.,
Officer of Health.
TO THE VESTRY OF BERMONDSEY.
August 15th, 1859.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,--I have on former occasions mentioned
that it is at this period of the year, when there is generally a
tendency to Diarrhœa and to Cholera, that the responsibility of your
officer of health is of necessity very considerably increased.
Formerly, the returns of the Registrar-General for the districts
south of London, especially for Bermondsey, were looked to as an
indication as to whether or not the rest of the metropolis was
threatened with an epidemic, as it was in these localities that the
population were generally first attacked and suffered most.
It will be, I am sure, most satisfactory to the Vestry, and to all interested
in the health and well being of our district, to learn that the
official records of this trying period no longer point to us with alarm
and warning, as the focus from whence cholera or even diarrhœa
might be expected to spread to other parts of the metropolis.
Speaking of the week ending July 16th, the Registrar-General says
-"The most striking feature is the increase of mortality from
Diarrhœa, which has gone on increasing from 34 to 58, 132, and 264
cases." It may be observed that more cases occurred in the north
and east districts than in those on the south side of the river, although
the population of either of the former groups is much less than that
of the latter. Our mortality was 25 for this week, the corrected
average being within a fraction of 28. There were, however, rather
a large proportion of Diarrhœa, viz., 9 cases, although one of these
was in an old man of 81, where old age is also justly ascribed as a
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