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32 Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
During the twenty-seven years that I have been Medical
Officer of Health, I have never seen the River in such a polluted
condition, and this condition is at present much accentuated by
the lessened volume of water due to the low rainfall during the
last two months.
I have also to point out that during the last few years the
amount of insect life, chiefly of the gnat species, has largely increased,
and the larvae of these breed in the River and its bywashes.
If the true anopheles or mosquito obtains a habitat in
this River it is quite possible that an outbreak of malaria would
ensue, as there are over 20 cases of malaria in the neighbourhood,
these cases having been contracted abroad when serving
in the Army, and all are still suffering from malarious attacks.
If the suggested schemes are proceeded with, and if there
is a marked reduction of the volume of spring water and a consequent
increase in the amount of sewage pollution, I am of
opinion it would prove a serious menace to the health of the inhabitants
in the vicinity."
7th April, 1921.
The London County Council was carrying out certain works
to remove the deposit of mud which was to some extent the cause
of the nuisance, but as this work was, in my opinion, proceeding
very slowly, I again called the attention of the Public Health
Committee to the nuisance.
Further work was carried out by the London County Council,
and the bed of the River was cleansed. The River is, however,
still in an unsatisfactory condition, and not until the new
Wandle Valley Sewerage Scheme is in full operation can much
improvement be expected.
The Tables which follow show (1) the total number of houses
inspected; (2) the defects or nuisances discovered; (3) number
of intimation notices served; (4) number of intimation notices
complied with; (5) number of statutory notices served; (6)
number of statutory notices complied with.