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15
the offending parties, without the interference of the Board. As the density
of the population of this parish is every year becoming greater, I respectfully
urge that unremitting attention be paid to the removal of all known and
acknowledged causes of disease, before the setting in of sultry weather.
Offensive Ponds.
It is also a matter upon which I may congratulate the inhabitants, that
most of the offensive ponds (especially one very much complained of in
former years, viz., the Building Pond) have undergone considerable improvement.
There remains, however, the Harford and the Cock Ponds, of which
I still feel it to be my duty to complain. I have had occasion to bring the
condition of these ponds continually before the notice of the Board, and I
now earnestly repeat my recommendations that something be done, and that
speedily, to rid the locality of the dangers which lurk in the fetid accumulations
of these two little better than extended cesspools. I have also again
to direct attention to a pond on the estate of a private gentleman situated
near the Green Lane, as being, if possible, a more serious nuisance than even
those before named. As a receptacle for nightsoil, and all kinds of putrifying
animal and vegetable refuse, this pond still continues its baneful influence in
the production of disease, and to contaminate the atmosphere a considerable
distance around it, to the great detriment of the health of the wealthy and
other ratepayers, who have residences in its immediate vicinity. Nuisances
existing upon private property, in various parts of the district, have been frequently
dealt with by the Board through magisterial interference, and I would
respectfully suggest that similar steps be forthwith taken to abate what I consider
to be one of the grestest nuisances existing in the parish. In this opinion
I am confirmed by several of my colleagues in office, whom I have consulted,
as well as by many of the aggrieved parties, who are unceasingly
calling my attention to the matter.
Drainage and Water Supply.
With regard to these two most important sanitary requisites, I can add
nothing to the remarks I made in my last report, but which I will here,
notwithstanding, take the liberty of emphasizing by joining in the earnest
hope expressed by one of my colleagues in a former annual report:—"That
as drainage is the summum bonurn of all efforts of sanitary legislation, the far
reaching views of those members of your Board, whose profession it is to
devise means to overcome engineering difficulties, will shortly be brought to
bear upon the realization of this great sanitary desideratum,"—a desideratum,
let me add, which continues to be especially recognized in this densely
crowded sub-district.
JOHN MACDONOGH,
Medical Officer of Health for Clapham.