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Gentlemen,
During the month ending upon the 22nd of May, the births of 26 males and 31
females (total 57), and the deaths of 21 males and 25 females (total 46), have been
registered.
This number is considerably above the average for the month of May, 35 and 26
deaths having respectively represented the mortality in the years 1856—7.
No deaths have been registered in the Hamlet of Penge during the month, which
renders the proportionate mortality of the other wards greater.
Nine deaths have taken place from zymotic disease, viz.:—
Lewisham.—The Grove. Hooping cough and croup.
Avenue Road. Hooping cough and pneumonia.
Bridge Place. Croup.
Loampit Hill. Hooping cough.
Blackheath.—Regent Street. Hooping cough.
Camden Row. Thrush.
Sydenham.—Bell Green, Lower Sydenham. Purpura hæmorrhagica.
West Kent Park. Measles.
Wells Road. Scarlatina maligna.
Several cases of ague have occurred in the Wards of Blackheath and Lewisham, a
disease very uncommon in the district since the construction of the sewer through
Lewisham and the drainage of Rushey Green, which locality used frequently to produce
some cases of this disease.
I am not aware that there is any map or sufficient register of house drainage in the
district. May I be allowed to suggest that as drainage is carried on it will be most important
to have some easy and accurate means of reference as to what houses have been
drained, and when, and in what manner this has been done, so that we may not have to
depend upon memory or supposition.
The following deficiencies and other evils in a sanitary point of view require your
immediate consideration and order for their remedy.
Blackheath.—An alley near Mr. Tuck's, Tranquil Yale, is in a most unsatisfactory
state, and in common with most of the houses here, is damp and undrained. One case
of ague has occurred here.
My attention has been again directed to Paragon Mews, several parts of which locality
are in a most offensive state: a sewer is really required here. Also to the state of Sandwell
Place and adjoining houses, which are totally undrained. Measles is endemic here.
Lewisham.—Some houses recently built (Ashburnham Villas), near the footpath
leading across the fields from Lee Road to Hither Green Lane, are draining into the
Quaggy. Ibis is a nuisance which should be stopped immediately, or the inhabitants
must be sufferers. Hither Green Lane, especially in the neighbourhood of the Retreat,
requires a systematic plan of drainage, as some of the houses are in a dangerous state of
nuisance.
Loampit Hill, Loampit Dale, and Rushey Green are still without water supply.
Sydenham.—Stemp's and adjoining houses require drainage; the closets at some of
these houses are in a filthy state.
Pigs kept in this neighbourhood are also very offensive.
Albion Terrace, Sydenham Park, requires again to be brought under your notice. In