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the 8th and 9th instant, on the prosecution of Mr. Whitfield for a
nuisance, and on my evidence, a true bill was found by the Grand
Jury against that gentleman, for the commission of a nuisance.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
JOHN CHALLICE, M.D.
Medical Officer of Health.
TO THE VESTRY OF BERMONDSEY.
August 5th, 1861.
In the week ending July 13th, the deaths in Bermondsey were 27;
the corrected average would have been within a fraction of this
number. We had 1 death from diarrhœa, 2 from typhus, 1 from
scarlatina, and 2 from whooping cough.
The atmosphere of this and the neighbouring Parishes has been
impregnated with various offensive effluvia, arising principally from
the main sewers, and caused by decomposing matters and putrid
remains from the late calamitous fire. In my opinion (and from
experience) the health of the district has materially suffered from
this cause. Numerous cases have come under my notice of constant
nausea, and in some instances of vomiting, internal pains, and violent
diarrhœa, which were undoubtedly brought on by this stench.
I cannot refrain from strongly urging upon this Board, as a
measure of most necessary precaution, the effectual cleansing and
purifying of the sewers, more especially of the main sewers, by the
same means adopted by the Metropolitan Board some years since.
The plan then employed, that of pumping a solution of lime into
the sewers daily, was productive of the greatest public benefit.
Although the main object was the disinfection of the Thames, the
scarcely secondary one, that of fixing the sewer gases, was accomplished,
by which poisonous emanations into dwellings, as well as
into the public thoroughfares were effectually prevented.
The deaths registered in the week ending July 20th, were 31, the
corrected average being 25.—The numbers ought however to be 30,
as there is a death registered twice.