[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham].

  • Lewisham (London, England). Board of Works.
Date:
1860
Catalogue details

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

Credit: [Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: City of London, London Metropolitan Archives

    27/31 (page 24)
    24 MARCH. DISTRICTS, BIRTHS. DEATHS. Males. Females. Total. Males. Females. Total. Blackheath 7 5 12 7 5 12 Lewisham 16 13 29 9 20 29 Sydenham 13 10 23 4 9 13 Union Workhouse — — — 1 3 4 Penge 2 2 4 3 1 4 Total 38 30 68 24 38 62 Gentlemen, During the five weeks which have elapsed since the last returns were communicated to you, sixty-eight births and sixty-two deaths have been registered ; a number greatly in advance of the average, proving that this has been a very unhealthy season. In Blackheath, Lewisham, and Penge the number of births and deaths have been equal. In Sydenham the births exceeded the deaths by ten. Thirteen deaths have taken place from zymotic disease, viz., in Blackheath— March 2, Scarlatina, Montpelier Row. „ 3, Scarlatina, Montpelier Row. „ 2, Measles, Mill Cottages. „ 21, Hooping cough, Spencer Place. Lewisham— Feb. 20, Measles, Greenaway Place. „ 24, Fever, Southend. ,, 22, Hooping cough, Rushey Green. „ 24, Hooping cough, Rushey Green. March 6, Measles, Stratford Place. ,, 10, Fever, Hanover Street. „ 19, Measles, Hope Cottages. „ 21, Fever, Southend. Sydenham— Feb. 19, Scarlet fever, Forest Hill. Measles had been very prevalent in Lewisham, and still continues endemic in a small degree at the North Surrey School. Scarlet fever is also prevalent at Blackheath. Hooping cough is more or less prevalent throughout the district. Smallpox has been a little upon the increase. One case has occurred in Loat's Pits, and several cases have occurred in Bell Green, Willow Road, and Russell Street, upon which localities I have frequently reported to you, and which—more than ever—demand your attention. Fever still continues at Southend. One whole family, living over a stable opposite the Tiger's Head, have been afflicted by it, and have been removed, as the loft is unfit for human habitation. The improvements which took place some time back in Loat's Pits have told very materially in favour of the health of the locality. The Medical Officer of the District informs me, as the result of his experience, that prior to the improvement in drainage and water supply, smallpox would certainly have spread amongst the inhabitants. The health oi the inhabitants of Sandwell Place, I am also informed, has visibly improved since the filthy cesspools have been emptied, and drainage secured. A drain opening into the ditch at Anerley, from two houses on the crest of the hill, still gives forth a poisonous smell. 1 have before brought this under your notice. Montpelier Row, and Paragon Mews, still require proper drainage. As above mentioned, two deaths have taken place from scarlet fever, to be attributed to the above cause.