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mitted or sanctioned the continuance of any cause which could be
considered in any way prejudicial to the health of the inhabitants of
the district, or injurious to the public at large.
We are, I trust, running a fair, successful, and triumphant race
with other Metropolitan Vestries with regard to sanitary improvements.—
We are now in the van, we have distanced those who have
struggled with us; our sanitary condition challenges comparison
with the most favored districts. In my opinion, there is no reason
why we should not continue to maintain the vantage ground so
honorably won, by unceasing sacrifice, and exertion on the part of
the Vestry and the parishioners at large.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient faithful Servant,
JOHN CHALLICE, M.D.,
Medical Officer.
TO THE VESTRY OP BERMONDSEY.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen,—The week ending 31st March,
was marked by an unusual degree of mortality, which prevailed in
a great degree throughout the Metropolis. Our district suffered considerably,
the deaths being 38, whilst the corrected average would
have been but 26. We had 2 fatal cases of Small Pox, 1 from
Scarlatina, 3 from Whooping Cough, 1 from Typhus, and 1 from
Diarrhœa. Probably this excessive mortality might be attributed in
a great measure to the extreme fluctuations of the temperature, as
one portion of the week it was below the average, and another portion
considerably above it. The lowest point marked was 25 degrees,
or 7° below freezing, whilst the highest was 86", a variation of 61°
within the 24 hours. No less than 16 of the 38 deaths occurred
from diseases of the lungs and air passages. A practical and forcible
illustration of the necessity for cure and precaution in protecting
the human frame against the evil influence of sudden and extreme
changes of temperature. There were 3 deaths of persons over 80
years of age, and premature twins who survived their birth but five
minutes. The first week in April our deaths were 27, which exceeded
the average only by a fraction. Whooping Cough was again