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32
Gentlemen,
During the five weeks ending upon the 25th of December, 71 births and 34 deaths
have been registered.
Thus from the Registrar's returns of mortality, and calculating also for increase of
population, the state of the public health would assume a very favourable aspect, as in
the four weeks ending upon the 26th December, 1856, 28, and in the five weeks ending
upon 26th December, 1857, 32 deaths were registered.
Upon analysis, however, it appears that only 9 of these deaths took place in Blackheath,
Sydenham, and in Penge, therefore the mortality of Lewisham Village has been
greatly above the average, 24 deaths having been registered in this sub-district alone,
whilst the mortality at the Union Workhouse has been considerably below the average
for this month, only one death having been registered. This mortality (in Lewisham
Village) has principally occurred amongst the aged and infants; thus 10 deaths have
occurred in children under 3 years of age, and 9 have occurred in those between the
ages of 60 and 85.
Taking the whole district,
Ten deaths have occurred from diseases of the lungs.
Seven deaths from diseases of the zymotic class.
The localities in which these latter deaths have taken place will, most of them, be
familiar to you, from my having repeatedly brought them under your notice as deficient
in sanitary requirements, viz.:—
One thrush, Raglan Street, Sydenham.
One measles, West Kent Park, Sydenham.
One croup, Hanover Street, Lewisham.
One influenza, Lewisham Park, Lewisham.
Three scarlet fever—One, Loampit Hill, Lewisham ; one, the Village, Lewisham;
and one, Hanover Street, Lewisham.
Measles has been extremely prevalent in the district, but is principally of a mild type.
One death has been registered from this cause.
Scarlet fever has also been somewhat prevalent. Three deaths have been registered
from this cause.
Influenza has been and is also somewhat prevalent. Three or four cases of diptheria
have occurred, but they have been exported from the Metropolis, and recovery has taken
place, though very slowly.
The localities I have to request your attention to, for the promotion of the health and
comfort of the population of the district, are as follows:—
Blackheath.—Camden Row ; no water is supplied here for any purpose. The new
drainage is ineffectual in consequence, and if it should be entirely blocked up, I anticipate
serious illness.
Bath Place requires attention.
Montpelier Row is without proper drainage, and Paragon Mews is in the same state as
when formerly brought under your notice.
Lewisham.—The drainage of the houses in Hither Green Lane demands attention.
No sewer exists here.
The water supply of Rushey Green, Loampit Hill, Cross Street, and neighbourhood,
is still in abeyance. Many of the evil results anticipated are occurring from this
deficiency.
Sydenham.—Opposite Sydenham College, Sydenham Park, a gully is required in the
road. A great quantity of water always remains after rain-fall.
Offensive gullies, rendered more dangerous from the absence of gratings, exist in West
Kent Park, the drainage of which locality is most unsatisfactory. A sewer is required
in St. Germains Road; sewage is running in the open street.
The drainage of Scudder's Row, Willow Road, is in a most unsatisfactory state, both
from want of proper sewer accommodation for the inhabitants in this locality, as well as
for those residing in the main street above.
Penge.—Offensive sewage in ditch running from Crystal Palace along the green lane
by several houses.
A ditch at the back of the houses in the main street is still very offensive and dangerous
to health.
This still empties, eventually, into the Ravensbourne river.
Anerley.—A swamp, consisting principally of sewage, occupies many feet of surface