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this district appears to be so much larger, (not only relatively but actually) than in all
the other parishes in the Metropolis, with the exception of the very large parish of
Marylebone, I have thought it my duty to mention the circumstance. In Shoreditch,
with a population of about 109,000, the number of sick poor attended by the Medical
Officers of the parish, was, for the quarter ending 3rd July, including those in the
workhouse, 3027, or 307 less than in Whitechapel; in Bethnal Green, with a population
of about 102,000, the number of sick poor for the whole year was 6772, being
only rather more than half the number that are attended in Whitechapel; and in Saint
Pancras, with a population of about 195,000, the number was, for the 53 weeks,
ending January 3rd, 1858, exclusive of those in the workhouse, 7797, and as the cases
in the workhouse average about 40 per week, there must be added to the 7797, 2120,
making a total of 9917, or about 1497 less in the year than in the Whitechapel
District.*
By order of the Board, in June last, I reported upon the state of the water in
St. Katherine's Dock. I found the water somewhat turbid, and it was offensive to
the smell. It contained a considerable quantity of organic matter, but it did not
evolve sulphuretted hydrogen. I also tested it for copper, but no trace of that metal
was found in it.
Whilst visiting the dock, I was informed that the smell of the water was entirely
owing to the offensive state of the river; and it was even alleged, that the water in
the dock was not so bad as the Thames itself. This is probably a mistake,
for the dock obtains its supply of water from the river, and adds to it the nuisances from
the ships alongside the quays, in addition to which, the water is contaminated by the
emanations from the filth at the bottom of the dock, which is at times partially stirred up
and removed, to enable the ships to have more free ingress and egress; moreover the dock,
as I have been informed, has, on no occasion, been thoroughly cleansed since it has been
built, a period of about 30 years; the offensive state of the deposit may be therefore
tolerably well conceived. I also reported that the nuisance arising from the premises
of Sir Anthony Rothschild was still complained of, and that the remedies which
had been hitherto applied to abate the nuisance were not sufficient for the purpose.
I further reported that I called upon several manufacturers in the district, from
whose premises opaque smoke was emitted, and since my visit the nuisance has been
somewhat abated.
The smell from the re-burning of animal charcoal upon the premises of Messrs.
Elers & morgan, was made a subject of complaint; but as Mr. Morgan intimated
to me that he would immediately adopt means to abate the nuisance, I am in great
hopes there will be no further cause of complaint. If, however, complaints are again
made, I shall bring the subject a second time under your notice.
*Since writing the above I have received an account of the number of out-door sick poor,
attended in the subjoined Parishes and Unions, for the Quarter ending April 3rd, 1858,—
Paddington, 101; Chelsea, 676; Belgravia, 448; St. Martins' in the Fieids, 184; St. Marylebone,
5003; St. Pancras, 2126; Islington, 1798; Hackney, 780; St. Giles, 14-06; Strand,
390; Holborn, 914; St. Luke, 1420; Bethnal Green, 1381; Whitechapel, 3009; Bow, 446;
St. George, Southwark, 1347; Newington, 754 ; Camberwell, 1047.