London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Rotherhithe 1871

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Rotherhithe]

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of the cause of complaint, 37 by the re-instatement of defective drainage, and in 6
cases the houses have been closed as unfit for habitation.
Several of the Inhabitants of houses and premises on Rotherhithe Wall, between
the Platform Wharf and West Lane, having complained to the Vestry of a nuisance
proceeding from a wharf there in the occupation of Mr. Peter Brown, in consequence
of the unloading at the said Wharf, of a quantity of decomposed cuttings resembling
leather, and other offensive animal matter. A summons under the "Nuisances
Removal Act," was issued against Mr. P. Brown at the Greenwich Police Court, and
after several hearings, and the inspection of the premises by the Magistrate, Mr.
Brown undertook to make certain structural alterations to his premises and adopt
other means in order to endeavour to abate the nuisance, which alterations have been
carried out, and no further complaints have since been made by the inhabitants as to
the nuisance.
Slaughter House Licenses.
Fourteen notices were received in September last from Butchers and others, of
their intention to apply to the Special Sessions for licenses for their slaughter-houses,
and they having been severally inspected by the Medical Officer of Health, were all
duly licensed by the Magistrates in October, 1871.
Cow Houses.
Five Cow-houses in this Parish were licensed by the Magistrates in October last,
they having also been previously inspected by the Medical Officer of Health.
The Vestry having in August 1871, received communications from Dr. Buchanan
and Dr. Seaton, of the Medical Department of the Privy Council, with reference to the
order of the Lords of Her Majesty's Privy Council, dated 29th July, 1871, as to
precautionary steps which they thought desirable should be taken, on account of the
prevalence of Cholera in certain parts of continental Europe, and inviting the Vestry
to appoint one of its members to meet the representatives of other, below bridge
river side authorities in order to confer as to the best and most economical means of
obtaining the efficient examination of Ships, Hospital accommodation, and adequate
disinfection contemplated in the said order in council. After much consideration the
vestry appointed Mr. John Bulmer as their delegate, to the committee of the representatives
of the other below bridge river side authorities before mentioned; they also
appointed a committee to take such steps as might be considered necessary for the
preservation of the health of this Parish, and in case of need to give orders for the
examination of Ships, obtaining Hospital accommodation, and providing means of
disinfection &c throughout the Parish and River side.
The Vestry likewise passed the following resolution, which was forwarded to the
Medical Officer of the Privy Council, viz:—
"RESOLVED that this Vestry consider that it is extremely essential that the
"Local Government Board, should have a most efficient staff stationed at Gravesend, to
"inspect Ships, and carry out all matters requisite for preventing disease being brought
"further up the river, and that the expense, consequent upon the measures necessary

Sewers Works

The following lengths of pipe, sewer, and drain have been laid, viz:—

18-inch pipe2 feet
15 „ „84 „
12 „ „566 „
9 „ „442 „
6 „ „648 „
4 „ „38 „
Total1780 „

The following is a statement of applications made to the Vestry to drain houses andpremises, and the results consequent thereon.

Number of Notices received.No. of houses permanently drained into covered Sewers.No. of New houses temporarily drained into Cesspools.Buildings and premises other than houses drained.House Drains Cleared.Tota 1 Number of Houses and Buildings inspected for drainage.
4964138580
The following is a statement of applications made to the Vestry to drain houses and premises, and the results consequent thereon.
[###]Number of Notices received.No. of houses permanentlydrained into covered Sewers.No. of Newhouses temporarily drained into Cesspools.Buildings and premises other than houses drained.House Drains Cleared.Tota 1 Numberof Houses and Buildings inspected for drainage.[###]
4964138580