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notice of the Vestry. There was a large accumulation of putrid fish
refuse being worked up; the stench proceeding from the place was
of an intolerable description and clearly recognizable, not only in
the public thoroughfare near the building, but at a considerable
distance up the Spa road. It is my deliberate conviction, and I
have no hesitation in giving my decided opinion that the health of
the surrounding district must be materially and seriously affected
by the continuance of this very serious nuisance. It is my intention
to present a condensed Annual report to the Vestry at its
next meeting.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your very faithful Servant,
JOHN CHALLICE, M.D.,
Officer of Health.
TO THE VESTRY OF BERMONDSEY.
July 16th, 1860.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, —A review of the sanitary condition
of our Parish during the period of the last twelve months
and its influence upon the health and lives of the population, is not
calculated to give rise to such feelings of congratulation and satisfaction
as on former occasions. Disease has been more prevailed
and more fatal. Our regret at this fact, will in no degree be mitigated
by the knowledge, that an increased mortality has prevailed
not only in the immediate surrounding districts, but also, without
exception, in various degrees throughout the entire Metropolis.
The re-appearance of Small Pox in an epidemic form is one of the
causes of increased mortality amongst us. This has naturally given
rise to anxiety, and although (as a reference to the Tables annexed
to this Report will shew) we have not suffered to the same extent
as other districts, still it has been with us in a malignant
form, and I believe we are greatly indebted to the active measures
taken by our Medical Officers for its suppression by energetically
carrying out vaccination. It is principally to this cause that the
disease in almost every instance was confined to isolated spots, and
is now, happily, disappearing.—Very different was its rise, pro-