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greatly less in number than in 1859, the requisite notices to remove
nuisances and to adopt sanitary measures for the prevention of disease have
been served in a less number of instances by one-fifth than in the previous
year.
During the past year the complaints numbered little more than one-half of
what they did in 1859, and many of the nuisances, &c., to which these
complaints referred, were either abated or removed with but slight trouble,
magisterial interference having been resorted to in but one instance only.
Drainage.
In those parts of the Wandsworth District, where the construction of
sewers has been systematically proceeded with, it has been proved (and no
doubt will be fully shown in other contributions to this Report) that very
manifest improvement iu the health of the inhabitants has taken place—a
result which would I believe equally follow similar sanitary operations in
this sub-district. The high level main sewer having been brought so near to
us as the Plough Inn, High-street, gives us the means of establishing very
perfect drainage for those parts of the parish lying south and west of the
locality named. This comprises the most important area of the sub-district;
and looking at the continued high rate of mortality, it is earnestly hoped
that such a necessary work of sanitation will, with as little loss of time as
possible, be carried to its utmost limits.
Offensive Ponds.
The cleansing of one of the principal ponds in this sub-district (the Cock
Pond) has been attended with the most beneficial results.
When it is stated that upwards of nine hundred cart loads of refuse, in all
stages of decomposition, were removed from this pond, it will be at once acknowledged
that I was fully justified in saying all I did concerning it in my
former reports.
I regret to say that the Harford Pond, and the pond near the Green Lane,
still remain intolerable nuisances. I need not reiterate my former representations
with regard to these ponds, further than to express my opinion that
the necessary cleansing operations much longer delayed may be attended with
very serious consequences.
JOHN MAC-DONOGH,
Medical Officer of Health for Clapham.