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II.—An Account of the Sanitary Condition of the district at
the end of 1908.
In complying with this section of the Local Government Board's
instructions to Medical Officers of Health, I proceed to give, as in
former years, a short account of the sanitary state of the district, uuder
the same heads of localities as are given in the statistical tables.
Dagenham, Beacontree, and Chadwell Heath. —Villages and
scattered groups of houses, all situate in the parish of Dagenham,
and occupying a very wide area, standiug on gravel and Loudon clay,
some (part of Dagenham village and immediate neighbourhood) on
alluvium. Population estimated 7,450. Mainly agricultural, some
(Dagenham Village) employed in a large ammunition factory, and
some on river-side labour. At Chadwell Heath an increasing number
of residents employed in London. Water supply mainly from South
Essex Water Company. An extensive system of sewerage for the
more populous portion of the parish has been carried out, but is still,
unfortunately, in abeyance, a condition which is causiug much anxiety
to the Council, and which it is hoped will soon be remedied. Pending
the completion of this work, pail-closets and cesspools are the
main means of disposing of sewage. Much expense is incurred by
the Council by the periodical emptying of these cesspools, and many
nuisances are caused by this system of sewage disposal. Scavenging
is done and dust bins and pail-closets are emptied by contract. Birth
rate, 279 per 1,000. Death-rate, 8'7. Death-rate from zymotic
disease, 1.4. Diphtheria prevailed to a very considerable extent,
mainly in the village and its neighbourhood, during the year. Local
insanitary oondition due to the bad arrangements for sewage disposal,
was the cause of this, and I sanguinely look for a decided improvement
in this respect when the system of sewage, so long in abeyance,
is in working order. This delay in the completion of this immense
sanitary improvement has caused, and is causing much anxiety to the
Council, who, 1 am quite sure, are using every means in their power
to hasten the desired consummation of this much-needed condition.
Noak Hill stands high 011 London clay. Population 260.
Agricultural. Water supply indifferent. Water area very difficult
to tap. Birth-rate, 7.6. Death-rate, Nil. Death-rate from zymotic
disease, Nil.