London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London

Strand (Westminster) 1896

Annual report on the statistics and sanitary condition relating to Strand District, London for the year 1896

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Table: Name of Town or Sanitary District.Have you had complaints with reference to sewer ventilators?Have you been able to trace any deleterious influences upon health from emanations from sewer ventilators?Do you consider it desirablethat Sanitary Authorities should have power to erect ventilating shafts on private property where necessary ?(a) Have you any experience of"Sewer-gas destructors"?ON THE SANITARY CONDITION OF

Name of Town or Sanitary District.

Have you had complaints with reference to sewer ventilators?

Have you been able to trace any deleterious influences upon health from emanations from sewer ventilators?

Do you consider it desirable

that Sanitary Authorities should have power to erect ventilating shafts on private property where necessary ?

(a) Have you any experience of

"Sewer-gas destructors"?

ON THE SANITARY CONDITION OF

(b) Have they proved satisfactory ?
(a) At the street level.
(b) From shafts.
ReadingOccasionally.(a) No.No.(a) Yes, Reeling's.
(b) No.(b) Yes; they require attention, and it is desirable that when they are used the house drains should be cut off from the sewer by an interceptic trap.
Richmond, SurreyNo.(a) Not absolutely.No.(a) Yes, Keeling's,
(b) Has been in use here several years and perfectly clears the sewers of foul gases.
SunderlandYes, a good many, but many of our sewers are old and probably that is the cause of the emanations being very offensive.(a) The medical practitioners in the town attribute gastric attacks with vomiting, &c., and ulcerated throats to inhaling sewer emanations. It is difficult to say whether they cause or pave the way for typhoid fever.Doubtful. Sewers well laid, well flushed, and with no obstruction at the outfall, seldom give off very offensive; emanations.None.
(b) No ventilating shafts in use.
WalthamstowYes, many.Yes, in several instances where ventilators discharging at the street level have been placed close to schools and dwelling houses.The Sanitary Committee are in favour of having power to erect as suggested.(a) Three Keeling's sewer-gas destructors have been in use for several years.
(b) We find them of some use. The amount of gas they consume with the attendant cost, is the chief objection.