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TO THE VESTRY OF BERMONDSEY.
December 16th, 1861.
Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, —I have on more than one
occasion reported to you, and commented upon, the unsatisfactory
condition of the Skin Market.
I visited the place this morning, and regret to say, that it was
dirty and offensive. This condition betokens a carelessness, if not
a wilful disregard on the part of those to whom its proper keeping
is entrusted, as to the health of those living in the immediate
district.
The entire absense of water renders the place a nuisance
injurious to health, and as such I have certified it.
I have also certified to the existence of a nuisance, arising
from a very considerable accumulation of horns, which are in a
stinking condition, at premises in the Leather Market, occupied by
Messrs. Boutcher and Mortimore.
The state of Queen street, Bermondsey New road, is altogether
bad, the footway and roadway are filthy.
Alice Street, adjoining, is if possible in a still worse state, surface
water, lying in dirty pools, and mud and muck in the road are ankle
deep. There are three houses in Green walk, Bermondsey New
road, totally unfitted for human habitation, the walls are saturated
with damp, and a most unwholesome and fetid odour pervades them.
There is an open, and offensive privy, and the corner of the yard
where it is situated, is covered with unmentionable filth;
as a matter of course, fever has lately prevailed here.—The roadway
is filthy.
The deaths in the week ending November 30th, were slightly
below the average, they were 29, as compared with a corrected
average of 31. Scarlatina was fatal in 3 cases, measles in 2,
diptheria and whooping cough in 1. In the week ending December
7th, the deaths were 28, the corrected average being within a
fraction of 31. Scarlatina was fatal in 2 cases; the births in the
fortnight were 37.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
JOHN CHALLTCE, M.D.
Medical Officer of Health.