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74
Gentlemen,
During the five weeks ending upon the 30th of July, 65 births and 37 deaths have
been recorded. The mortality is thus considerably above that of last year, as during the
same space of time in 1856, 26 deaths only were registered.
The oppressive weather seems to have been more especially prejudicial to the health
of the young, as 15 deaths have occurred amongst children under five years of age,
besides four under the age of ten.
Seven deaths are registered in those between 50 and 60, and five in those above 70
years of age.
Seven deaths have taken place from epidemic disease, viz., one in Perry Rise from
"bilious fever." (The open drains have been before reported as very offensive).
Two in Rushey Green, one from " fever," one from " diarrhoea." (No water is at
present supplied here).
One, Sydney Arms, "hooping cough."
One, West Kent Park, "hooping cough." Cesspools abound here, and although the
drains are in, they in most instances take merely cesspool overflow, and several of the
houses are in an offensive state.
One, Bell Green, " scarlatina." (The inhabitants here are suffering from offensive
cesspools, and drainage into ditches).
One, Southend, "measles." (No drainage).
One, "fever," North Surrey Industrial School. Privy smell still in infirmary.
Hooping cough and scarlatina are very prevalent in some parts of the district, especially
in those parts which I have brought under your notice as requiring sanitary
measures for their improvement.
Several cases of typhus fever have occurred in the North Surrey Industrial School,
Anerley, and I am sorry to say that there is no separate building for isolating these
cases. Further, the ventilation of the infirmary is still incomplete.
The drainage of Shepherd's Place, Lewisham, a most offensive spot, and a locality in
which I last month reported to you the occurrence of cases of smallpox, has not been
drained, merely from the fact that one inhabitant householder disapproved of the plan
determined upon by the local authority, and obstructed its execution.
The extensive ballast burning upon Mr. Murley's ground, near Forest Hill, has been
continued, notwithstanding a notice served upon them to discontinue, last Saturday;
the heap has reached a large size, and is almost under the windows of two adjacent
houses, and close to many others. It has elicited several remonstrances and complaints,
and doubtless the suffocating gases arising from it are a nuisance, and decidedly detrimental
to health, more especially to the health of infants and those with delicate lungs.
Thus in two instances the authority of the Board has been rendered nugatory; and as
in urgent cases such neglect might be attended with disastrous results, it would, I think,
be advisable immediately to summon before a magistrate and fine all parties guilty of
disobedience.
I have recently examined some very inferior samples of milk supplied to the public;
one more especially, supplied to a public institution, was very inferior in quality. One
or two of the parties have been remonstrated with, and if the supply is not improved, I
shall feel it my duty to publish the names and analyses for your inspection and order.
Blackheath.—The drainage of Montpelier Row and Mews still requires your serious
attention ; one house in particular, before reported as having fever in it, is in a most
offensive state from a privy under the staircase.
Bath Place also still requires your order for cleansing and drainage.
Camden Cottages, Camden Place, &e., are still in a filthy state.
Pigs and manure heap in butcher's yard, Blackheath.
Pigs and manure heaps at Little Blackheath Hill, in the midst of a large population.
Drainage of urinal, &c., into a well, at Duke's Head, in Little Blackheath Hill, has
not yet been remedied.
Lewisham.—A recent complaint has been made as to the overflow of a cesspool in
Sandwell Place, and an order, I believe, served to empty. This can only be, however,
of temporary benefit, as the wells are already contaminated, and the porous soil round
this neighbourhood must be in a state of filth. Fever has been prevalent here, and a
short drain is much wanted.
Pigs are still kept in the village, in very closely inhabited parts.
A more decided effort is still desirable to remove the drainage and filth from the