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Eleven deaths have occurred from epidemic disease; of these I am sorry to have to
name three deaths from malignant sore throat occurring in Penge, in which district there
have been several cases. This disease appears to be caused by malignant typhus
attended by a confervoid (vegetable) growth, which rapidly blocks up the air passages,
and appears under the microscope exactly similar to the fungus observed in the atmosphere
of sewers and cesspools. (Dr. Letheby). Two deaths from this cause have taken
place near the Crooked Billet. The ditch at the back of this locality, the contaminated
stream from the greater number of houses here, the sewage from the Crystal Palace
behind, and the want of attention to house drainage, would seem fully to point out the
exciting cause.
One death from this disease has also taken place in Hamlet Road, an undrainced and
offensive locality.
Blackheath.—Five deaths have taken place from epidemic disease, viz.:—
One hooping cough, Tranquil Vale.
One fever, Green Man Hotel.
One croup, Ordnancc Bow.
One hooping cough, Bath Place.
One ditto, King Street.
In Lewisham, two, viz.:—
One typhus, Shrubbery Cottages.
One hooping cough, Silver Street.
In Sydenham.—One scarlatina, near Forest Hill Station.
Much good might be done in preventing the spread of epidemics, and in allaying their
virulence by the use of disinfecting agents (e.g., chlorine, as Burnet's Fluid, or oxygen,
as in Condy's Fluid) in every house, to be frequently thrown down sinks, drains, and
cesspools; the former being more appropriate for cesspools, the latter for drains in connection
with a stream which is likely to be used for drinking and other domestic uses.
Several nuisances exist in the district exceedingly detrimental to health, many of
which have been often before your notice, but which, from the heat of the weather, and
the peculiar state of the atmosphere now, urgently require your attention.
Blackheath.—The filthy state of Paragon Mews ; large open hole containing drainage;
the exceedingly dangerous state of some of the houses and drains in this locality.
On this subject I cannot do better than refer back to what I urged upon the attention of
the Board in March, 1856, the only difference being that it has become worse since
then:—
The untrapped gully holes receiving sewage from stables and houses in the Mews,
at the back of Montpclier Row, emit at times noxious effluvia. A coachman and his
wife, who reside opposite one of these holes, frequently suffer from ill health, which has
been attributed to this cause."
Bath Place, a locality near the above, also really requires attention. One death from
epidemic disease in this locality I have recorded above.
The undrained state of many of the houses in Montpelier Vale.
Drainage at the back of Jobbins's, baker, Blackheath.
Offensive drainage at times flowing from Mr. Fox's stables.
Offensive drainage into ditches between Grote's Buildings and the sewer parallel with
the railway.
Lewisham.—The offensive smell from the urinals near the public road adjoining
several of the public houses. Some deodorising substance should be ordered to be used
here.
Offensive smell detrimental to health from the culvert opposite Mr. Wood's house,
Lewisham Road (late bed of rivulet), probably caused by some house drainage not yet
diverted into the sewer.
Covell's drainage obstructed and contaminating well water. No blood should be
allowed to enter the drain; it is liable to coagulate, and unless instantly diluted with
water would thus choke any pipes and interfere with any system of drainage whatever.
I cannot but repeat the necessity there exists in such a soil as that of Lewisham for
cementing the drain pipes together (as suggested by me in January, 1856), which in this
case would have obviated a great part of the evil.
Hither Green Lane is offensive from want of drainage, as before reported.
Ashburnham Villas, reported last month, are unaltered in their outfall of drainage
into the Quaggy stream.