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from this malady within our limits; it has, however, shown itself
among us, and throat affections have been more than usually prevalent."
In the autumn of that year, an outbreak of Typhoid Fever, which
localized itself at Palace Place, Fulham, occurred amongst the occupants
of the Cottages on the banks of the Bishop's Moat, but it was not of a
serious nature or of long duration. The condition of the Moat appeared
to have been the exciting cause.
In this year, I was requested by your Board to investigate the question
of the Ventilation of Sewers, and, in conjunction with Mr. Bean, I
carried on a series of experiments with a view to ascertain, first, the
most efficient deodorizer of sewer gases, and, secondly, the best mode
of applying them. My reports upon the subject were printed in the
third Annual Statement of your Board.
In the course of 1859, the first portion of the Main Drainage scheme
for Hammersmith, was commenced by the construction of the deep
sewer in the Uxbridge Road, whereby the northern part of the parish
was greatly benefitted, whilst it contributed materially with some local
works to the drying of that once horrible morass, "the Dismal Swamp."
In this year a mild epidemic of small-pox occurred, and scarlet fever
was still prevalent,
In 1860, your Board continued your efforts to improve the local
drainage, and Bradmore, where, previously many nuisances existed,
was provided with a deep sewer, as was also Warple Way and Beavor
Lane.
In this year also small-pox and fever lingered amongst us.
In 1861 the more perfect drainage of the Dismal Swamp was effected
by the reversal of the house drains previously flowing into it, and that
fearful nuisance was then entirely removed.
In this year, London was visited by a serious amount of Epidemic
Disease, and Diptheria was prevalent and fatal. The improvement in
our Sanitary condition was beginning to tell, for though our mortality
was slightly increased, no localization of disease occurred. Small-pox
had entirely disappeared.
On the 8th day of April in this year, the Census was taken, and it
was found that the population of the Fulham District had increased
from 29,646 in 1851 to 40,058. Hammersmith contained then 24,519,
and Fulham 15,539 inhabitants.
In 1811 the total population of the two parishes was only 13,296
(Hammersmith 7,393, Fulham 5,903.)
In 1862, a further addition was made to our local drainage by the
construction of a deep sewer in the New Road, Hammersmith, from
Stamford Brook to Albion Road. It was in this year that your Board
so vigorously and successfuly resisted the scheme of the Metropolitan
Board for dealing with the sewage of the Western District by Deodorizing
Works at Sands End, Fulham, whereby a most horrible nuisance was
averted. The commencement of the Main Drainage Works in Fulham