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20
During July two cases of erysipelas occurred at Sluice House, for which
there appeared to be no obvious cause.
The drainage of the houses being defective, fresh arrangements were
ordered, and were at once carried out by the owner.
In August two cases of measles occurred at Waterside Farm, the infection
having been brought from Poplar by children staying on the island,
Six other cases occurred during September and October, all clearly traceable
to the same source.
One other case of the same disease was brought from Southend during
December.
None of the above were removed to Hospital, but the best possible
arrangements made for isolation in their own homes, thorough fumigation
being subsequently resorted to.
THE RIVER.
During the hot weather the condition of the river water gave rise to
considerable anxiety on the part of those concerned with the care of the
Public Health.
The present mode of treatment, applied only in part to the sewage of the
Metropolis, does not seem to have affected in any way the state of things.
If there has been any benefit from the system adopted, it ha3 at any rate
been more than neutralized by the increased quantity which flows into the
sewers from year to year. The river water during the past summer was
undoubtedly as bad as it has been at any time during the last ten years.
It appears to be influenced entirely by temperature, rainfall, and barometric
pressure, and to be for all practical purposes unaffected by any addition of
chemicals at the outfalls.
A report has been issued by the Engineer and Chemist of the London
County Council in which it is stated that " below bridge, and as far as
Limehouse, the water was as good as we have often seen it in the
Thames above Teddington." With reference to this, I would point out that
this is no uncommon thing on a falling tide ; and secondly, that this
inspection was made on two dates—16th and 22nd September.
The temperature during August was almost continuously below the
average, and rain fell on 15 days during the month.
The first week in September was again cold, while the remainder of the
month was above the average.