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There is one case requiring especial notice.—It is a fatal case of
cholera. A man aged 44, a fellmonger, previously in good
health, died after thirty-four hours illness. He lived in Stephenson's
court. On inquiry I find that his wife had been working and
handling for some days the sewer fat, and as in most of these instances
she had, as a consequence, indulged very freely in spirituous
liquors. She first fell ill; she recovered; the husband died. The
court is moderately clean, but complaints are made that the dust and
refuse are allowed to accumulate and to become offensive. The receptacle
was full when I was there.
I certify, the house at 15, Bermondsey square, as being without
any privy accommodation, and I consider that immediate proceedings
should be taken to remedy this most gross neglect on the part
of the owner.
I also certify to an accumulation of dung in a yard at Little Paulin
street, as being dangerous to health and a serious nuisance, —repeated
complaints have been made of these premises.
There are pigs kept so as to be a nuisance and injurious to health,
in Staple street, and also in Little Paulin street.
Diarrhœa, during the last fortnight, has become general throughout
the Metropolis, as yet it is of a mild form, with some few
exceptions. Children as usual, suffer the most.
In the week ending the 27th ult., we had five deaths from this
disease, but all were in children under 12 years of age; we had
also one death from small pox, and one from diptheria.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient faithful Servant,
JOHN CHALLICE, M.D.
Medical Officer of Health.
TO THE VESTRY OF BERMONDSEY.
August 19th, 1861.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, —As is usual at this period of the
year, diarrhœa is generally prevalent in the Metropolis, and this