View report page

13
which I am happy to say a new sewer is now constructed),
and 10 in West Kent Park. Thus more than half of the entire
number of deaths from this cause have occurred in the neighbourhood
of two localities.
Much h as been done by sanitary measures, frequent inspection
of houses, &c., removal of nuisances, new drainage, and
water supply, to render the district more healthy; but still,
undoubtedly, as population increases, much more remains to
be done; for the deaths from diseases of the epidemic class
do not represent a tittle of the trouble, sorrow, and pauperism
which is likely to result from sickness, and consequent privation,
among the poorer class, and it is in localities which we
know produce and foster disease and are foci of contagion for
other Portions of the neighbourhood, that the force of the local
authority is incessantly requisite to compel the provision of
proper water supply, proper cleanliness, proper ventilation,
and proper (well ventilated) drainage.
In my first Report, published in 1856, I brought under the
notice of the Board the general results which would take place
from inattention to sanitary laws, such as want of light, want
of ventilation, deficient or inferior supply of water; and this
district, from its being spread over a large surface, points out
perhaps more clearly than many others, the contrast between
those parts which are well arranged, in a sanitary form of
view, and those that are deficient in that respect; and as it is
of the utmost importance fully to understand "what are the
surrounding circumstances which add to or detract from the
causes which shorten or prolong life," and what are the conditions
especially necessary to ensure freedom from the epidemic
class of disease which annually increases the mortality of
every district, it will be desirable, after some years' experience,
to consider a few points which are well known to bear upon
the subject.
The Water Supply of the district is derived from two sources;
Blackheath and Lewisham being supplied by the Kent Water
Works Company; Sydenham and Penge by the Lambeth
Water Works Company.
The Kent Water Works Company formerly derived their
supply from the Ravensbourne river, but since the wholesale
contamination of the river with sewage (which will be partly
put a stop to by the new sewer), have been obliged to resort to
artesian wells, which afford a considerable supply.
The Lambeth Water Works Company obtain their supply
from the Thames at Long Ditton.