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18
SANITARY CHRONICLES, 1894.
of sanitary work as carried out by each of the six inspectors.
It will be seen there that no less than 21,166 inspections
of premises of various kinds were made during the year,
which, if equally divided, gives about 3,500 apiece.
During some six weeks the time of the whole staff was
taken up with dealing with an outbreak of smallpox;
nevertheless, it is satisfactory to find that a large amount
of permanent work with regard to drainage was carried
out.
The drainage of 380 premises was opened and exposed
to view by the workmen in the Surveyor's department, and
since in each of the 380 cases there was good cause for
suspecting defects, it is no matter of surprise that almost
without exception the drains thus exposed were found to be
defective. Altogether, 85,099 feet of drainage were laid,
under the direct supervision of the inspectors. This shows
an increase when compared with past years. The number
of feet laid in the same manner during 1891 was 41,541;
in 1892, 35,612 ; in 1893, 61,753. The drainage thus laid
is of a first-class character, viz., suitable glazed pipes,
properly jointed, laid on concrete, with a chamber and
syphon between the house and the sewer, and with proper
ventilating arrangements. In most cases there are indeed
at least two chambers, back and front, and in many cases
where it was necessary to lay the drains under kitchens, the
drains are of iron.
The regulations made by the Vestry with regard to
plans of drainage have been rigidly enforced—that is to say,
that all plans of drainage are submitted both to the Medical
Officer of Health and the Surveyor; and the drains are not
proceeded with until the sanction is obtained.
It may be useful to detail the actual steps taken, which
are briefly as follows:—A builder who has received an
order from the owner to lay a new drain receives on application
a form containing the printed regulations of the
Vestry, and on the fly-leaf a blank form, divided up into
squares, one-eighth of an inch to a foot, on which the plan
is to be drawn. This plan is sent to the Court House, and
on its receipt the inspector in whose district the premises