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searching way and proved very useful in discovering defects in
drains under ground, as well as defective traps and pipes in
direct connection with drains above ground. It has been used
at all houses where cases of Diphtheria and Enteric Fever have
occurred, and at other houses where there has been special
reason to suspect defective drainage. About 130 drains (representing
perhaps 500 or 600 houses) were tested and about one
half were found defective. When the drains are near the surface
probably this test is sufficient, but for deeply laid drains the
water test should be used. The use of this has, however, not
yet been sanctioned by the Vestry.
5. The advance which I consider the most beneficial in the
Sanitary work of the year is the order which was made that all
new drains should be tested by the smoke machine before being
passed by the Surveyor. The necessity of testing new drains
had been pointed out by me to the Board of Works at frequent
intervals since I have been Medical Officer, but not until the
advent to power of the Vestry were my recommendations
attended to.
6. I also reported as to the necessity of the County Council
bye-laws with respect to the drainage and water closets of new
houses being enforced by the Surveyor's department. I believe
this is now more effectively done. It formerly frequently
happened that the Sanitary Inspectors discovered defects in
drainage, and faulty arrangements (such as long hoppers without
flushing rims) in water closets, which had been recently passed
by the old Board.
Table IX. shews that a much larger number of defective
drains and water closets are found in East Plumstead than in