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and groups of houses. Population, 1940. Agricultural. A system
of sewerage has been recently adopted for the populous portion of this
locality, the sewage being taken at a distance and treated on the
septic principal of purification. This, so far, is a great success, there
is not the least nuisance in the locality of the Sewage Works, and
the effluent, after running over land in furrows, is perfectly clear
and inodorous. Water supply for the locality mainly from the
South Essex Works; some wells. The more sparsely-populated rural
part of the locality is badly supplied, ponds being a main source of
supply in some parts. Birth-rate, 29.3. Death-rate, 8.7. Deathrate
from zymotic disease, 1.03.
Rainham and Wennington lie low on gravel and alluvium at
the edge of the Thames. Marshy. Village of 2,100 inhabitants.
Agricultural and river traffic. Tidal stream runs through Rainham
to the Thames, about one mile distant. No system of sewage removal.
Privies and cesspools. Foul state of atmosphere frequent from
factories on river bank (manure, candles, glue, &c.), some on the Essex,
most on the Kent side of the river. Water supply mostly from South
Essex Company; some wells. Birth-rate, 35.2. Death-rate, 17.1.
Death-rate from zymotic disease, 2.3.
N.B.—The death-rate from zymotic disease was augmented in
several localities by the smallpox epidemic.
III.— An account of the enquiries as to the conditions injurious
to health existing in the district, and of the proceedings
relating to such conditions in which advice has been
given, &c., &c.
In addition to the cases of infectious diseases recorded in Section
1 of this report, the following insanitary conditions, &c., necessitated
official interference by the Sanitary Inspector, who called in my
assistance when necessary. These instances of nuisances, &c., are
included iu the list detailed in a later part of this report.