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TO THE VESTRY OF BERMONDSEY.
Sept. 17th, 1860.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, —Since my last ordinary Report, it
is most satisfactory for me to state, that the health of our Parish has
very greatly improved, and the deaths have been considerably under
the corrected average.
In the week ending August 4th, the deaths were 17, the corrected
average being 28, and the births 45. The following week the deaths
were 19, the corrected average being 33, the births 27. For the
week ending 18th August, 21 died, the average 35, and the births
41. The week following the deaths were but 16, the average 33,
and the births 37.
This very favorable condition, and most unusual low rate of mortality,
has continued in the week ending September 1st and 8th
respectively, they were 19 and 33, the births 51 and 63.
The unusual low temperature for the period above mentioned, has
doubtless acted favorable in diminishing the mortality from Diarrhœa.
I have in pursuance of the order of the Vestry, inspected the
premises of Mr. McMurdo, Manufacturing Chemist. Complaint
has from time to time been made of the existence of a most offensive
effluvia, not only most disagreeable, but also of a very suffocatiug
nature. This has been noticed more especially at night, and attributed
to various sources. I have, however, no doubt that the
origin of this offensive and suffocating vapour is from the premises
of Messrs.-
It proceeds from the manufacture or composition of a chemical termed
the sulphate of mercury. This is produced by the combination
in a retort of quicksilver and strong sulphuric acid, under the influence
of a high temperature. During this process fumes of sulphurous acid
gas are given off, and passed through a tube into a shaft 80-ft. in
height, from whence it escapes into the atmosphere. From the
density of this vapour, in certain conditions of the surrounding air,
a considerable proportion would descend, and thus become not only
a nuisance, but also injurious to the health of the inhabitants in the
district.