View report page

31
state from insufficient drainage. The absence of water supply, and the difficulty of
obtaining it in sufficient quantity rendering all attempts at cleanliness nugatory. I
have, therefore, to request you will use the authority vested in the " Board of Works"
to compel a proper supply of water, and thus remedy a great evil.
In Russell Street, Sydenham, works are required, the drain in the roadway, which is
altogether too superficial, having been broken in in several places. This is not only
offensive and dangerous, but likely to block up the drainage from the houses, and therefore
requires immediate attention.
I have received several complaints respecting the gully opposite Mr. Stutter's, in the
centre of Sydenham. This is a most offensive nuisance, and might be easily remedied.
A drain at the end of Raglan Street is very offensive. The entire members of one
family resident here have been affected with typhoid fever, attributed by the medical
attendant to the lack of proper drainage.
The drainage hitherto carried out at Penge is very incomplete, and it is most important
that a drain should be carried to the Crooked Billet and beyond, to receive the
sewage of the houses in this portion of the village, in which part I have had so repeatedly
to call your attention to the existence of disease and mortality, attributable, in my
opinion, to want of drainage.
The Crystal Palace sewage in the green lane should also be received in a covered
sewer; the quantity and offensive nature of the discharge from the mouth of the drain
here positively require that something should be done, both for the protection of the inhabitants
here as well as to save the river from the most filthy contamination. (A
person resident in a house adjoining this district has had several attacks of typhoid
fever).

I have the honour to remain, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
F. E. WILKINSON,
Sydenham, 25th November, 1858. Medical Officer of Health.