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7
I do not think that recent sewage-matter, however
injurious to health the emanations therefrom, has the
power to generate specific diseases, such as scarlatina,
measles, diphtheria, &c., otherwise we should have a
permanent plague of epidemics, but if allowed to remain
wholly or partially stagnant for a lengthened period,
the duration of which would be modified by various circumstances,
as dilution with water, exposure to the air,
confinement in closed drains, extent of movement, if
any, and nature of the sewage-matter, it acquires the
property of generating specific epidemic diseases.
In warm weather, during the evenings and nights,
when the upper atmosphere condenses, the lower air
becomes loaded with the sewer gases that have been to
an enormous extent previously diffused during the day,
the breathing air immediately above the ground being
charged to saturation with these vapours; to this fact,
the senses of both smell and taste bear ample testimony.
It is in this source of atmospheric pollution we have, I
fully believe, the principal cause in towns of the annual
epidemics of summer and choleraic diarrhoea. The
removal of the evil must be concomitant with the solution
of the problems of sewer ventilation and sewage
utilization.
Sanitary Laws.
A Royal Sanitary Commission is at present sitting,
with a view to obtain information available for amended
sanitary legislation.
I have seen no evidence of their having investigated
such practical, common, and certain causes of disease
as some to which I have alluded, but probably they
may yet descend to such essential enquiries. One important
result to be hoped for is the consolidation and
simplification of the laws relating to public health,
which at present are vague, complicated, and often