View report page

The condition of Stroud's Vale, where fever has of late been very prevalent,
and where the mortality from zymotic diseases is always excessive, has engaged
the attention of the Inspector, during the last month. I have also visited the
greater part of it myself, and have been shocked at the glaring outrages of
all sanitary laws perpetrated through nearly all the locality. I cannot
say I am surprised at the result of the inquiry, for so greatly disproportionate
a number of deaths from zymotic diseases in any district point, to the
existence of these deficiencies as certainly as the needle to the pole. For
the details I must refer you to the inspection sheets, and my appended recommendations,
but cannot avoid directing your special attention to the almost
complete absence of proper drainage in that densely populated portion of the
vale which lies to the north of the Great Northern Railway. Unless this be
placed in a satisfactory state before the next outbreak of epidemic sickness,
I will not answer for the consequences of the neglect.
EDWARD BALLARD, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health.
42, Myddelton Square,
November 5th, 1857.