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which has fallen on 192 days. On the afternoon of Sunday, September
28th, during a violent storm, 2 inches of rain fell in about
two hours.
On the whole, it is most satisfactory to observe that, whilst other
parts of the Metropolis, and even the Metropolis at large, have occasionally
suffered more or less from some Epidemic disease, the
Fuiham District has remained comparatively free, neither has its
Mortality been excessive though its working people have not been
exempt from ordinary privations.
This favorable condition, however, must not engender indifference,
since, with such a population, exposed to so many vicissitudes of
life, the approach of Epidemic Sickness towards us, much more its
existence amongst our neighbours, should warn us of the necessity
for perseverance in preventive measures whilst the enemy is without,
and thus may be avoided the panic that most surely results on the
outbreak of such diseases as Small Pox, Fever or Cholera, which so
quickly fasten on any community who disregard those precautions
which science and experience point out as protective.
It is not too much to say, that for position with desirability of
soil and climate, the Fuiham District is not surpassed by any Metropolitan
suburb.
The completion of our main drainage will accomplish all that is
necessary for carrying off our refuse, and it will be the fault of those
most interested in its welfare if some of our cottage property remains
in its present plague-tempting condition.
If the comforts of the upper classes depend on the labour of the
lower, it is equally certain that their immunity from prevailing sickness
bears an equal relation to the sanitary condition of the latter.
The improvement then of the dwellings of the poor, the establishment
of Baths and Wash-houses, a prompt completion of the intended
sewerage, and a larger extension of the Water supply, form the desiderata
yet to be accomplished within the Fuiham District; and it
is to be hoped, that not only will the public authorities but also the
public individually and collectively give all possible aid in their
realization,
I have the honor to be, Gentleman,
Your obedient servant,
FREDERICK J. BURGE,
Medical Officer of Health,
June 11th, 1863. Fuiham District.