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28
Gentlemen
During the month ending upon the 30th September, the deaths of 13 males and 13
females have been registered.
During the same period in the year 1856, 36 deaths were registered; and during the
same period in 1857, 47 (although from the latter number must be deducted the
coroner's return on 11 inquests).
The state of the public health during the present month has consequently been very
favourable, although out of 26 deaths registered 11 deaths have taken place from
zymotic disease, as undermentioned:—
One diarrhoea, Merton Place, Blackheath.
One ditto, Haynes's Cottage, Forest Hill.
One ditto, Upper Sydenham.
One ditto, Bell Green, Lower Sydenham.
One ditto, Loampit Hill, Lewisham.
One ditto, Rushey Green, Lewisham.
One diptheria, Silver Street, Lewisham.
One diarrhoea, Hope Cottages, Lewisham.
One scarlatina, Silver Street, Lewisham.
One diarrhoea, Camden Place, Lewisham.
One scarlatina, Loampit Hill, Lewisham.
The state of Merton Place (more especially the Greenwich end), I called your attention
to some time back.
Upper Sydenham is far from satisfactorily drained, even upon the line of sewer put in
by the Commissioners some years back. The drainage of houses here should be completed
before another summer.
Bell Green I had several times to call your attention to last year, when scarlet fever
was prevalent and carried off several persons. There is no proper drainage to houses
here, although a sewer runs along in the old ditch by the side of the road.
Loampit Hill is most imperfectly drained, and has no water supply.
Rushey Green, although materially improved in drainage, and consequently in
healthiness, has no water supply.
I cannot sufficiently urge upon you the importance of completing the drainage of
these localities by a proper supply of water, which it is in your power to order in every
instance.
Meteorological tables and tables of mortality are appended as usual.

I have the honour to remain, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
F. E. WILKINSON,
Medical Officer of Health.
Sydenham, 30th September, 1858.