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which are in close contiguity to the privies, are heated for domestic
purposes; the contents of the cesspools then become of an increased
temperature, offensive, depressing, and poisonous gases are evolved, the
health of the neighbourhood deteriorated, disease is developed, becomes
contagious, and affects the surrounding district, increasing our mortality,
and adding misery to the troubles of poverty. I remarked in
my visit that bad as the condition was for the dwellers in the houses in
West-lane, it must bo immeasurably worse for those who lived in
Brewer's-yard, as the privies were close to the rear of the houses of the
latter, and some distance, probably 30 feet, removed from those of the
former.
At No. 14 in West-lane, the privy and wash-house abuts upon
No. 8, Brewer's-yard. Here lately, Scarlatina broke out, the children
were attacked, recovered, and the family have now fled; the house is
empty opposite, about eight feet from door to door; there are now two
children dead and others sickening. At No. 4, also on the opposite
side, there is another dead child and five other sickly children, with a
pale, anxious and depressed mother, who appear ready to become
victims to the pestilential influence now enveloping the place. The
rear of the houses on the-eastern side of the yard, i.e. to the rear of
West-lane, was absolutely insufferable from stench, and the cause was
most clearly traceable to the cesspools before mentioned. It is satisfactory
that the water supply in this spot has not been complained of; but
at the house, No. 4, the only receptacle was a small leaky wash tub,
containing but a few gallons, quite inadequate for the purposes of
cleanliness and health. The drainage is defective, and there are open
cesspools. If possible or practicable, it would be highly desirable to
clear the houses in this yard of their sickly occupants, while the works
absolutely necessary for the prevention of further disease and mortality
are being carried out.
At No. 2, Prospect-row, a school with between 40 and 50 boys, at
an age very susceptible to the exciting cause of disease, there is a very
offensive privy, with an opening into the cesspool from broken ground
exterior to it. This is another of the cases where the orders of the
Board remained unnoticed.
At No. 18½, Fashion-street, although the privy was distant from the
house, the stench arising from it was perceptible when entering the
premises. It is loudly complained of by the occupants, and must be acting
most injuriously upon them.
No. 19, Ernest-street has an open privy with a cesspool close to the
house, and a copper adjoining separated only by the wall. The stench
which arises from this place is complained of by the neighbours; and is
in all probability rendered more noticeable in consequence of the
absence of any disagreeable 'effluvia from the adjoining houses, where
sanitary arrangements have been satisfactorily carried out.
At Nos. 1, 2, and 3, Abbey-street, the privies have a drain in common,
and are equally offensive, generally so much so, that it is impossible
to close the doors without danger of suffocation.
The necessary works at Rose-court are in progress.
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