[Report 1859-1860].

  • Bermondsey (London, England). Parish. Vestry.
Date:
1860
Catalogue details

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

Credit: [Report 1859-1860]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/40 (page 17)
    ending the 25th of Feb., 1 was a Greenwich pensioner, aged 87; the widow of a gardener 84; a master currier 77; and the wife of a bone-boiler 71; the others were under 14 months of age, with but one exception. In the fortnight, 2 children have died from Small Pox, 1 in Bermondsey street, and the other in Ship and Mermaid court. There is evidently a strong tendency to Small Pox pervading the entire Metropolis, and I consider it highly advisable, publicly to impress upon all, the necessity of re-vaccination, not only in young persons, but also with adults. The advantage of this precaution I can bear testimony to; in several instances I have witnessed within the last few weeks the wonderful preservative power of this, one of the greatest and mightiest of human discoveries. There is also this additional advantage in the adoption of re-vaccination, that in not one in a hundred instances does it produce the slightest inconvenience or indisposition. I have visited the premises of the Metropolitan Gas Company; was courteously received, and had every information afforded me. The Gas is good, illuminating power about thirteen candles, free from ammonia and sulphuretted hydrogen. I am prevented from reporting on the Gas of the Surrey Consumers' Company, as I was refused inspection of the premises by the gentleman in charge of the offices; on the ground that he was not aware of my intention to visit the works. I am, Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, JOHN CHALLICE, M.D., Officer of Health. TO THE VESTRY OF BERMONDSEY. April 2nd, 1860. Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, —The period included in the four weeks, ending March 3rd, 10th, 17th, and 24th respectively, has been marked with an excess of mortality and of sickness throughout the Metropolis. In this visitation, the Parish of Bermondsey has not altogether escaped. Several causes tending to the production of