View report page

I regret to report, that on Saturday afternoon I had cause
for ordering three carcases of calves to be seized in the shop of Mr.
Thos. Tate, 79, Bermondsey New Road. They were taken by your
Inspector to the police station, and condemned by the sitting Magistrate,
as unfit for human food.
From the general appearance of the carcases, more particularly from
the consistence of the muscular fibre and cellular tissue, there could
be no doubt as to the entire absence of all the qualities of wholesome
meat. As, however. Mr. Tate said that he had purchased these
carcases in Newgate Market, and when he further stated that they had
been passed by the Inspector, I suggested that the Magistrate's
decision might be adjourned until this evidence was forthcoming,
as the fact would be alarming and of serious import to the public
at large. Mr. Tate declined this proposition, and the meat was subsequently
destroyed in presence of your Inspector.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your faithful Servant,
JOHN CHALLICE, M.D.
Medical Officer of Health.
TO THE VESTRY OF BERMONDSEY.
April 14th, 1861.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, —In the week terminating the
30th March, our deaths were but 18, of these no less than
6, or one third were from whooping cough. The corrected average
mortality was within a fraction of 29. Only 3 deaths occurred in
St. Mary Magdalen district, all children under two years of age,
and all from whooping cough. For the first week in April, our
mortality was 29, the corrected average being a fraction above 27.
Only two deaths took place from whooping cough, and there were
six deaths of people of 70 and 80 years of age. The births in the
fortnight were 96, the deaths 47.
I have during the past week, (accompanied by your Inspector)
visited the slaughter houses of the district, and I have to report,
that most of them are in a fair condition, and that some are
faultless.