[Report 1856-1857].

  • Bermondsey (London, England). Parish. Vestry.
Date:
1857
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1856-1857]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    that the sanitary improvements already effected, have exercised a considerable influence in checking the developement of diarrhæa into cholera. The general prevalence of diarrhœa, during the last four weeks, has been remarkable, especially with children, in whom it has been in many instances fatal, accounting in a material degree for our increase of mortality. Of the 24 deaths in the week ending September 6, no less than nine are from diseases, which are now justly considered to be in a very great degree preventible, viz., two from typhus, two from diarrhæa, two from scarlitina, and three from measles. I believe that the time is not far distant, when we shall be able to fix and identify, in the majority of instances, the direct causes of these diseases, as well as we can now, those of ague or marsh, and the jungle or yellow fever. I beg especially to direct the attention of the Vestry to a place called Turner's Retreat, which is as much a fever producing locality, as can well be imagined. The inhabitants are not of the poorest description, and some of them are remarkably cleanly in their houses and persons, but the miserable want of drainage, and the offensive condition of the privies, is without the slightest exaggeration producing a poisonous influence upon the inhabit ants. All, but with one exception, appeared to me in a low state of health, the exception was the deputy landlord, or rent collector, who could see nothing wrong about the place. This court is also within the influence of the soaks from Mr. Barrow's yard, of which complaints have already been made. On inspecting Mr. Barrow's premises, I regretted to find that the pits, containing a strong solution of dogs' excrement, (technically called pure) were inconsiderately placed adjoining the public thoroughfare. I am pleased to learn that your Surveyor has a plan for improving the drainage of this spot, and I beg leave to reiterate what I have before often urged, the imperative necessity for a great dilution of the contents of the saturated pure pits, before and also after they are poured into the public sewers. This is done by some of your large Manufacturers, it ought to be a rule with all. I remonstrated with Mr. Barrow also on the general complaint made by surrounding neighbours, of a suffocating vapour arising from his yard, in consequence of his burning tan mixed with coal. This practice he promised should be discontinued. 22