View report page

I consider that these receptacles for East India kips should be
covered; and I advise that the contents should on no account whatever
be let off or disturbed during sunrise.. I consider this a question of
great importance, and have in consequence certified the pits as a nuisance
and injurious to health, in order that some definite arrangement
should be come to. In addition to this pregnant cause of mischief,
there was an accumulation of fleshings or cuttings in a putrid and
offensive condition, to which I have also certified.
The proceedings against Mr. Cripps have, after a second hearing before
the magistrate, been again adjourned for a week, and the process
complained of is to be discontinued until a decision has been arrived at.
I would strongly advise that the watering of the parish should be
more effectually carried out. During the sultry weather some of the
back streets were peculiarly offensive; and in my opinion a larger body
of water should be thrown upon the roads, as by this means the temperature
of the thoroughfares is diminished, the effluvia from the gulleys
mitigated, and in addition, the contents of the sewers diluted.
The deaths in the week ending July 31st are 23; and for the week
terminating August 7th, 28—one of these is reported as of Cholera;
but it appears to have been quite free from any of the symptoms of
epidemic or malignant disease, having lasted for ten days, and the
patient was previously paralyzed for upwards of two years.
Diarrhœa is somewhat prevalent, severe with children, but rarely
fatal, and at some places it has lately assumed an epidemic character;
but it is now diminishing in severity and frequency.
I. am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
JOHN CHALLICE, M.D.,
Officer of Health.
TO THE VESTRY OF BERMONDSEY.
September 6th, 1858.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, —I have (accompanied by your
Inspector of Nuisances) visited and examined the several undermentioned
places, where the orders of the Vestry have not been complied
with, I am aware that some legal doubts exist, which have in
a great degree interfered with the salutary action of the Board. I very
deeply regret that such is the case; for I believe that in one
district the non-compliance with our requisition has been the occasion
of the outbreak of very serious and fatal cases of Scarlatina. On
the 23rd ult. I visited Nos. 13, 14, and 15, West-lane; at each of
these houses there are open privies, which are peculiarly offensive
generally, but at certain times are most singularly so, The principal
cause for this very obnoxious condition appears to be when the coppers,
9