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of the custom as very desirable, and likely to aid materially in maintaining
the improved health of our district.
I have also to report that, en complaint, I visited and inspected
Mr. Axtell's premises in Bermondsey-street. The yard was filthy, is
unpaved, has no channels for carrying off the surface drainage, and the
soaks adjoin the rear of houses in Bermondsey-street, causing sickness
and great inconvenience to the inhabitants. I visited the premises on
a former occasion, and pointed out to Mr. Axtell the necessity for improvement,
which I regret has not (although promised) been attended
to.
There are urgent complaints of inefficient and most inadequate water
supply for the purposes of life, health, and cleanliness at George'splace
East, in Snow's-fields, and in Fort-street.
Measles are still prevalent, and somewhat fatal. For the week ending
June 19th, we had 8 deaths from this disease, and 3 from whooping
cough. The total number from all causes being 30, which is beyond
the average by 7.
For the week ending June 26th, there are 4 deaths from measles,
2 from Scarlatina, and 3 from Diarrhœa; in children, not however in
an epidemic form, the total mortality this week is 21, being somewhat
less than the average.
I am happy to report that, owing to a fall in the temperature and
some rain, the Thames is to-day decidedly less offensive.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
JOHN CHALLICE, M.D.,
Officer of Health.
TO THE VESTRY. OF BERMONDSEY.
July 19th, 1858.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, —The mortality in Bermondsey for
the week ending July 3rd, was 20, which is below the corrected average.
We had 4 deaths from Measles, 3 of these were in the Leather Market
district; 2 from Scarlatina, 1 from "Whooping Cough, and 1 from Typhus,
in the St. James's district. In the Metropolis Diarrhœa prevailed to a
considerable extent, 24 deaths having taken place from this disease.
We have been very free from Diarrhœa, no death occurring from it
in that week.
In the week ending July 10th, our deaths were 28. The Market district
had 16 deaths, and of these 3 are registered from Diarrhœa, 4 from
Measles, and 1 from Small Pox, being the first case in this or the last
year. The cases of Diarrhœa occurred in a labouring man 75 years of
age, and natural decay is also assigned as the cause of death; in an in-
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