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TO THE VESTRY OF BERMONDSEY.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, —In the Quarter ending Dec. 31st,
it is a satisfactory fact for us, that the Registrar General, in speaking
of the prevalence of the Small Pox in the various Metropolitan districts, remarks as follow, "It deserves to be especially mentioned,
that in the sub-district of St. James, Bermondsey, not a single death
from this disease has occurred for a period of nearly six months."
Of the 3 fatal cases registered in Bermondsey from Small Pox, 2
occurred in the Leather Market, and 1 in St. Mary Magdalen subdistricts.
Taking the entire population, the Southern division of the metropolis
seems to have suffered next to the Northern; it is probable
that the excess of deaths in the latter may have arisen from the mortality
in the Small Pox Hospital.
It appears that during the last Quarter, 1 person out of 4458 died
of Small Pox in the Northern districts of the metropolis. In the
Southern districts 1 died out of 5050. In the Central division 1
died out of 5387; and in the Eastern, 1 out of 5644; whilst in the
Western division only 1 died out of 8183.
So that in the most favored districts 1 death occurred in 8183,
whilst in Bermondsey the proportion was 1 fatal case of Small Pox
in 16,042 of the population. I took seme pains in this Analysis,
as I have often of late been told that Small Pox was raging fearfully
in Bermondsey, It requires a constant repetition of facts to
dispel rumours founded upon preconceived prejudices.
With reference to the premises at Bermondsey Wall, used for the
purpose of fabricating artificial Manures, I have had an interview
with the owner.—He expressed his desire to carry out any improvements
in the premises that I could suggest, so that the process
should be less a nuisance and less offensive. I declined doing this,
believing that no alterations would be of any real advantage in this
most inappropriate site, for a novel, noxious trade. Mr. Knight
upon this has promised to remove altogether, within six weeks, and
in the interval to avoid creating any fresh nuisance.
I have again visited the premises of Mr. Wiseman, the process of
Hair drying is offensive, and there is at present not the best available
means used for the prevention of a nuisance.
I have certified to an accumulation of refuse of an offensive description,
in the rear of premises adjoining the School, in Grange
Walk.