View report page

An invasion of fever commenced towards the end of the summer in the small
streets and courts, near Hickman's Folly, Dockhead. Hence it was soon transported
to Foxlow Street and Maltilda Place, at the lower end of the Parish, and from
these two centres it spread to the surrounding streets. Its virulence was in a
great measure checked before winter set in, by the promptness of the Board of
Guardians and their Officers in separating the infected by removing them to the
Fever Hospital. Most of the houses where it took place were thoroughly
cleansed under the direction of your Medical Officer and Inspector of Nuisances.
It is a fact to be recorded that this Fever was mostly Typhus, the form usually
attributed to overcrowding, Typheia (Typhoid) and Typhinia, Relapsing Fever—
the fevers of sewage and of famine were comparatively less prominent. Railway
improvements have been the cause of much overcrowding in Bermondsey. A
house to house visitation was directed by the Vestry, and was carried out mostly
in the St. James's sub-district, until interrupted by the illness of the Vestry's
late Inspector of Nuisances.
During the year the Medical Officers of the Vestry reported twenty-six
times on the health of the Parish, and on complaints made to them from time to
time. In seventeen instances trade nuisances were referred to in these reports.
Improvements in the paying of courts were recommended, and cleansing and
ventilating of dwellings directed, and, when necessary, enforced. Other sanitary
works were also promoted some of which for convenient reference are to be
found in the appendix to this report. Thirty-nine slaughter-houses, and twentyseven
cow-houses have been inspected and reported on previous to renewal of
licenses.
Without doubt the most important sanitary question brought before the
Vestry was that of Mater supply, both as regards quality and quantity. The
course adopted by the Vestry of bringing the subject under the notice of the
Board of Trade has led to efforts on the part of the Southwark Water Company,
which must ultimately lead to good results. It is however a subject for regret
that the quantity when sufficient is not more equitably divided, and that the vexed
question of constant supply has not been definitively settled. If our Parish is
not to expect this soon it is really time the poorer classes of our Parishioners
were supplied with better water receptacles.
Before closing this report I would recommend that the Vestry should request
the Board of Guardians to continue to issue periodical notices of vaccination in
order that Small Pox may not increase as it has done in other parts of London.
I now beg to offer my thanks to the Vestry for the courtesy I have always
experienced from its members individually and collectively, and for the encouraging
and favourable manner in which my suggestions have always been received.
I have the honor to be,
Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
WM. PARKER, M.D.
Medical Officer of Health.