London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972
View report page
Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
Lewisham 1859
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham]
This page requires JavaScript
20
A house at Lewisham, Rushcy Green, inhabited by Mr. Parker, shoemaker, is in an
ffensive state; the wife is suffering from fever. The houses at the back are much complained
of as being in an offensive state, and the drainage obstructed. Several cases of
fever have occurred here.
Meteorological table and tables of mortality arc appended as usual.
METEOROLOGICAL OBSERVATIONS.
| Week ending. | Weight of air. Barometer corrected. Mean inches. | Temperature of Air. Thermometer. | Prevailing winds. | Rainy days. | Amount of rain in inches. | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highest. | Lowest. | Mean of daily readings. | |||||
| Aug. 27 | 29.861 | 91.3 | 66.6 | 66.6 | N.W.&S.W. | 1 | 0.25 |
| Sept. 3 | 29.600 | 76.9 | 57.5 | 57.5 | S.W. | 3 | 0.33 |
| 10 | 29.841 | 72.0 | 58.0 | 58.0 | s.w. | 3 | 0.35 |
| 17 | 29.658 | 73.2 | 53.8 | 53.8 | Variable | 4 | 0.83 |
| 24 | 29.652 | 76.0 | 56.5 | 56.5 | S.W. | 3 | 0.64 |
DECEMBER.
DISTRICTS.
BIRTHS.
DEATHS.
Males.
Females.
Total.
Males.
Females.
Total.
Blackheath
4
5
9
3
3
6
Lewisham
6
8
14
3
6
9
Union Workhouse
—
—
—
5
2
7
Sydenham
13
10
23
9
7
16
Penge
—
6
6
1
3
4
N. S. Industrial School
—
—
—
1
—
1
Total
23
29
52
22
21
43
Gentlemen,
The mortality of the district is above the average of the last four years, forty-three
deaths having been registered during the five weeks ending upon the 24th of last month.
Seven persons have died from diseases of the chest, and six from zymotic disease, as
enumerated below:—
One from smallpox, Union Workhouse, Lewisham.
One „ scarlatina, Scuddcr's Row, Sydenham.
One „ scarlatina, Lower Sydenham.
One „ scarlatina, Lower Sydenham.
One „ scarlatina, Upper Sydenham.
One ,, fever, Dartmouth Terrace, Blackheath.
Oi these no deaths have taken place in Lewisham during the month (the case of
smallpox recorded was removed front Eltham), and I am again corroborated by the
opinion of the Poor Law Medical Officer in speaking of the improved health of the
village since the carrying out of the plan of drainage.
Some cases of fever exist in Sandwell Place, which renders it of additional importance
that the house drainage should be carried as quickly as possible into the main, so
judiciously constructed, and the cesspools be completely emptied and cleansed. If
in any way to be avoided, drains should not bo carried under the floors of houses,
especially in such a porous soil as that of Lewisham and Blackheath. If this is
necessary, each joint of drain pipe should be perfectly cemented. We have instances of
tho evil results attending the want of care in this matter.
Lower Sydenham and some parts of Upper Sydenham require careful attention to
drainage which is in some parts quite neglected, and consequently deaths arc frequently
reported to you occurring from zymotic disease.