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11
"That if thrown away without being disinfected they impart
their own infectious quality to other excrementitious
matter.
"That if They get access, even in the smallest degree, to
wells or other sources of drinking-water, they may poison
large quantities."
The experience acquired in this district in the 1849 epidemic
fully corroborates the former of these views.
The first case which appeared in Sydenham in 1849, occurred
to a gentleman who contracted the disease at Bath, and
died after his return to Sydenham. The infected linen, &c.,
was sent from his house to be washed; it not being convenient
to wash these infected clothes immediately, they were placed
in a basket which was put into a room in which three sons of
the laundress slept, who all took the disease and died, no
other member of the family being attacked.
Similar results were observed during this epidemic.
I pon the tirst appearance of epidemic diarrhoea and cholera
in this district, prompt measures were taken by the Board of
Works, and, doubtless, owing to these prompt measures, may
be attributed the fact that the epidemic did not spread; and,
without doubt, lives were spared, and much suffering prevented.
Upon the first appearance of epidemic cholera in this district,
six qualified medical men were appointed as visitors, to
hold oflico for two months; one for so much of Blackheath as
is contained in Lewisham Parish; one for Lewisham Village;
one for Forest Hill; one for Upper Sydenham; one for Lower
Sydenham and the Village of Southend, and one for the
Hamlet of Penge.
During this period all the houses in the district inhabited
by the poorer classes were inspected, in some instances several
times, and as many as could be inspected in the course ot one
day were reported upon to the Officer of Health, who gave
written directions upon each item contained in the reports.
The two Inspectors of Nuisances were constantly engaged
in seeing these orders attended to.
The shops of all the chemists in the district, who would