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district is suffering like all the rest. To children however, or rather
infants of tender age, this disease is at present most formidable or
fatal.
In the week ending August 3rd, the deaths were 29, a fractional
increase upon the average. There were 3 deaths from diarrœa, the
same number from whooping cough, and one from Typhus.
For the week terminating August 10th, the mortality was 35. the
corrected average being 33½.
Diarrhœa was fatal in 6 cases, typhus in 2, whooping cough in 1,
and scarlatina in 3.
This is not a satisfactory condition, it is one requiring vigilance,
although not alarming.
I have to call the attention of the Vestry to the entire absence of
water supply to the Skin Market; there is in consequence a want of
that cleanliness so necessary not only for health, but for comfort and
decency about the place. The necessity which exists for repeated
cleansing of a market such as this is, requires no argument, and for
this purpose, an adequate supply of water is absolutely required. A
free use of lime wash to the walls and columns of the building would
be desirable, and indeed is requisite.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient faithful Servant,
JOHN CHALLICE, M.D.
Medical Officer of Health.
TO THE YESTRY OF BERMONDSEY.
September 16th, 1861,
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, —The mortality of Bermondsey
during the month which has elapsed since my last report, has considerably
varied. In the week ending August 17th, the deaths were
17, the corrected average being 34, there were 5 deaths registered
from diarrhœa. The births in the week were 50.
For the week ending August 24th, the deaths rose suddenly to 41,