View report page

38
REPORTS
OF
THE MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH,
to
THE BOARD OP WORKS FOR THE LEWISHAM DISTRICT,
1856.
JANUARY.
Gentlemen,
In presenting this my first Medical Report, as to the sanitary condition
of the District over which you have done me the honour of electing me
as "Medical Officer of Health," I have endeavoured, as briefly as possible,
to point out—
Firstly. What general causes are more immediately liable to engender
disease and increase mortality;
Secondly. To give a slight sketch of the geographical and geological
peculiarities of the district; and,
Thirdly. To append Tables of the past Mortality for the last ten years;
the Mortality of the present month up to the 26th instant, and Meteorological
Tables taken from observations made at Greenwich Observatory.
With regard to sanitary matters, I have found it necessary from the
short period which has elapsed since my taking office, to generalise upon
that which seems to be more immediately requisite to be attended to, and
to reserve for future Reports such inquiries as demand more special and
minute attention.
The District appears to have been healthy, when compared with some
other Metropolitan Districts; but it will be for you, Gentlemen, not only
to prevent increase of mortality as population rapidly increases, but by
timely sanitary regulations, to render the District more healthy than it
has ever been.
The removable causes of disease may be classified under eight heads, viz.
1st. Want of light.
2nd. Want of ventilation and free circulation of air.
3rd. Deficient or impure supply of water.
4th. Adulterated food.
5th. Animal food rendered poisonous by disease or decay.
6th. Putrifying animal matter, drains, privies, cesspools,
slaughter-houses, &c.
7th. Marsh miasm.
8th. The state of dwelling houses.
Cause I. Want of Light.
Solar light either comes to us directly as in sunshine, or is diffused
through the atmosphere as in ordinary daylight; and is absolutely