London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Lewisham 1856

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham District]

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52
The Hamlet contains 840 acres.
The Lambeth Waterworks Company supply 141 houses in this neighbourhood.
Many of the inhabitants, however, have to fetch water from the wells at
the Crooked Billet and Waterman's Asylum, &c.
Some of the cottages depend for their supply upon ponds.
Several parts of this district require the attention of the Surveyor and
Inspectors.
The filthy state of the brooks, the totally undrained state of some parts
immediately in contiguity with houses, demand that some system of drainage
be planned which should comprehend the whole district.
More immediate attention is required, as at the present time and for
some weeks past there as been existing an epidemic of measles, as well as of
whooping cough, which in some places has assumed a formidable character.
Closely surrounding a court-yard, in which are placed a stable, slaughterhouse,
and dung heap, draining into a well (which was until lately used for
drinking), there have been 16 or 17 severe cases of measles.
The mortality in Penge for the last 4 weeks ending Saturday last, has
been 7, which carried throughout the year would make an average of 91
deaths.

This must be a heavy mortality for so small a district.

DISTRICTS.BIRTHS.DEATHS.
Males.Females.Total.Males.Females.Total.
Blackheath549224
Lewishamnoreturns246
Union Workhouse5510
Penge37
Sydenhamnoreturns33
Total

CLIMATEOFTHE LEWISHAM DISTRICT.

Week ending.Weight of air. Barometer corrected. Mean inches.Temperature of Air. Thermometer.Prevailing winds.Rainy days.Amount of rain in inches.
Highest.Lowest.Mean of daily readings.
Jan. 19.29.73250 024 538 7S. W.40.15
26.29.10054 036 544 5S. W.61.07

I have the honour to remain, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
F. E. WILKINSON.
Sydenham,
31st January, 1856.