[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.

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    they all sleep together on the ground, on a piece of matting, with no covering whatever —and are in a state of absolute filthiness beyond description. The place is 6 feet by 4, and 6½ feet in height, —giving about one-fourth of the quantity of air requisite for one person. It is alike a necessity and mercy for the adoption of prompt steps for removing these poor creatures, from a place in every respect unfitted for human habitation. Complaint has been made to me of a nuisance, emanating from Scutch in its conveyance from Messrs. Young's premises to the water side. I have visited the Manufactory, and the Manager promised to use every endeavour to prevent the effluvia, which will I trust be effectual. I am, Gentlemen, Your faithful Servant, JOHN CHALLICE, M.D., Officer of Health. TO THE VESTRY OF BERMONDSEY. June 18th, 1860. Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, —At half-past 10 o'clock A.M. on the 12th inst. I visited the premises of Mr. Powell's, fish Manure manufactory, I was attracted thereto by the peculiar offensive odour, and suffocating vapour, produced by the combination of concentrated sulphuric acid, commonly known as Oil of Vitriol, with putrescent and decaying animal substances. On approaching the building, where the process of mixing is carried on, the stench was intolerable, although modified in some degree by the burning of Tan outside the premises. From the density of the vapour, and from other circumstances, I judged that Acid had been just added to the fish refuse. There was a large heap of putrid fish, probably a waggon load. —The effluvia arising from it was sickening. I have now, no hesitation in stating that these premises are a nuisance, and that the business carried on cannot fail to corrupt