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Almost all people are now agreed as to the protecting power of
vaccination.—It is unnecessary for me to say one word upon that
head. But I urge the necessity for re-vaccination in adults. The
wonderful advantage of this practice on the Continent has been
realized, more especially in Sweden and in Denmark, and also to a
very marked extent in the Prussian army. I say then, let all the
young be vaccinated; and if asked what I mean by the young, I
would say all on the right side of 50.
But we have other diseases to guard against—and it is my duty to
point out to you while fully admitting our constant progress towards
a satisfactory sanitary condition, that the open ditch in Blue-anchor
lane is likely, and indeed certain, to become this year worse than
ever, inasmuch as all the drainage from a considerable number of
houses upon the spot now runs into it. If it be not practicable to
at once cover in this offensive ditch, dedorization should be resorted
to at an early period, to prevent miasma and disease, which otherwise
will probably become developed.
I have before reported on the existence of an open, filthy, and
very offensive ditch by Bermondsey Wall, at the rear of some factories,
and into which several privies are emptied. I trust that the Vestry
will forthwith order it to be cleansed and covered.
I have made repeated application for admission to the testing
room of the Surrey Consumers' Gas Company, in the Railway Arcade,
but without success. I have inspected the manufacturing premises
at Rotherhithe, and before reporting thereupon, I purpose paying
another visit.
The premises occupied by Mr. Knight at St. James' Wharf, Bermondsey
Wall, which are used as an artificial Manure manufactory,
I have visited on several occasions. The proprietor has broken faith
with me and the Vestry, as he promised that he would not continue
the noxious process he carries on in these premises, but that he would
remove in the course of six weeks. This was about six months ago.
I advise, as the process is one injurious to health, that prompt legal
proceedings should be taken upon satisfactory evidence of the continuance
of the nuisance.
1 may, I trust, be permitted to urge the propriety of the prompt
carrying out of the orders of the Vestry on sanitary matters, or
where there are nuisances to be obviated. This would be beneficial,
as proving that the Vestry are in earnest in the matter. Moreover,
should our district unfortunately be afflicted with the presence of an
epidemic, we should have the satisfaction of having neither per-