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Drainage.—During the past nine years, 1276 house-drains have
been reconstructed in accordance with the Vestry's drainage regulations,
including a certain number of combined systems of drainage. The
drains laid in the parish, before there was any proper system of
supervision by the Vestry's officers, are very commonly found to be very
defective in respect of jointing.
Water-closets. —Many old and defective pan closets and "long
hopper" closets have been, during recent years, taken out and replaced
by improved forms of " short hopper" closet. The flushing of the
closets by 2-gallon water-waste-preventers is generally fairly satisfactory,
although these waste-preventers appear to be often out of order,
especially those of cheap make. It is to be regretted that the Chelsea
Water Company has not seen its way to sanction the use of 3-gallon
water-waste-preventers in its district, as these are more effectual in
flushing the water-closet basins, traps, and drains.
Yards.—Generally speaking, the back yards of houses are now
fairly well paved, in accordance with the Vestry's Byelaws under the
Public Health (London) Act, and the drain inlets are now nearly
everywhere protected by stoneware gulley traps. The sanitary
importance of having good paving of yards in the neighbourhood of
houses is, I consider, very great, as it prevents any filth accumulations
soaking into the ground—a fruitful source of illness.
Dust-bins.—Metal pails for the reception of house-refuse are now
very largely in use in place of fixed brick bins, and are not only far
more cleanly, but must materially lighten the labour of dust collection
by the Vestry's workmen.
Dung receptacles.—Iron wire cages resting on a cemented base have
been very largely adopted by the owners of stables. Fixed brick
receptacles are still in use in certain mews, but unless these are sunk
below the level of the ground, or are otherwise a nuisance, notices are
not served for their removal. A few sunken dung-pits still remain in
places where there is no room for a manure cage, or where such a cage
would interfere with the traffic, or with means of access to coach-house
or stables. The removal of horse manure was very fairly well carried
out during the past year, and fewer complaints of accumulations were
received than usual.
Unsound Food. —The Sanitary Inspectors have exercised a careful
supervision over the food exposed for sale in the streets, stalls, and
shops of the parish. A considerable amount of food which was
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