[Report 1857-1858].

  • Bermondsey (London, England). Parish. Vestry.
Date:
1858
Catalogue details

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

Credit: [Report 1857-1858]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    St. Luke's - - - - 1 42 East London - - - - 1 48 West London - - - - - - 1 „ 23 Shoreditch - - - - - - 1 „ 36 Bethnal Green - - - - - 1 43 Whitechapel - - - - - - 1 35 St. George's-in-the-East - - - - 1 39 S te pn ey - - - - - - - 1 38 Poplar - - - - - - 1 28 City of London - - - - - - 1 64 Taking the average of these, the mortality in Middlesex is about 1 in 41. 6th.—FOR THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT. They are for Rotherhithe - - - - 1 „ 39 Newington - - - - - - 1 41 St. George's - - - - - - 1 42 Bermondsey - - - - - - 1 43 Thus it will be seen, that taking the entire population of the metropolis, our deaths are below the average. Humanly speaking, there can be no doubt that we are now reaping the fruits, not only of present exertions, but also of the energetic efforts used in years past for improving the sanitary condition of this parish. The pernicious effects of impure water no longer tends to the production of diarrhœa, and of cholera; while that admirable Institution, the Baths and Washhouses, conduces to the comfort, cleanliness, and health of our inhabitants.* I believe also, that the closing of the numerous burial places within our district, has exercised a most beneficial effect. However, speaking of burial grounds, brings me to a circumstance demanding the earnest and especial attention of the Board. The ground in Nelson Street, opposite to the model lodging houses, as is well known, had been used for a long period of time as the place for the burial of hospital patients. I have, in a former report alluded to this spot as affording an opportunity for procuring an open space as garden, or playground to that very crowded locality. I regret to find that a notice has been affixed by the hospital authorities, to let this ground for a timber yard. It is not for mo to speak of the indecency of this proceeding; but as Officer of Health for the district, I remonstrate against it. I believe this acre of ground would become of great value to the district as an open space, laid down in grass, if devoted to the public use; while on the contrary, if the surface be disturbed, considerable danger of the outbreak of disease will be incurred by the surrounding dense population. It is unsatisfactory that no effectual steps have yet been taken with regard to the vaults beneath Bethesda Chapel. As the warm weather is approaching, I respectfully urge upon the Vestry a remonstrance to the Secretary of State on the subject. P.S.—No death occurred from Small Pox in Bermondsey during the whole of the year 1857; a most satisfactory result of the general adoption of Vaccination. *In 1856, there were 93,502, and 1857, 97,242 bathers, It is said to have been a burial place for nearly two centuries.