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40
WORK OF THE DEPARTMENT.
The proposal to require removal twice a week was so generally opposed that no further
steps have been taken to alter the bye-law.
Since 1900 a bi-weekly collection has been made from flats during the summer months,
and last year the Works Committee were authorized to make collections at their discretion
at intervals of less than seven days from any premises.
It would be somewhat expensive to systematically remove all house refuse more
frequently than once in seven days, but it is believed that to do so would mean not only the
removal of nuisance from objectionable effluvia, but also improved health. There is reason
to believe that the emanations from dustbins are in themselves dangerous to health, and that
when they gain access to foods (the larder and dustbin are usuallv very near to each other)
they can set up changes which will give rise to sickness and diarrhoea in those consuming the
food. Milk is probably the most sensitive of all foods to this contamination, and summer
diarrhoea is more common in hand-fed children than in others. It is impossible to resist the
conclusion that the prevalence of summer diarrhoea and putrefying accumulations of refuse in
the household dustbin are in some way correlated. Professor Delepine has shown that the
deleterious properties of milk, as measured by the bacteriological test, vary directly with the
temperature of the air, the time which has elapsed since taken from the cow and the opportunities
of dirt contamination.
Drainage Work.-To a certain extent the number of new drains laid in during any year
depends on the prevalence of infectious disease, more particularly of diphtheria and enteric
fever. Last year 573 new drains were constructed under the supervision of the Inspectors,
each being water-tested twice, i.e., before and after "filling in." In 1901,572 new drains
were constructed. During last year 01 drains, most of which were on the register of drains
re-constructed under the Department, were tested and found sound.
The Bye-laws to be made under the " Metropolis Management Acts Amendment (Byelaws)
Act, 1899" have not yet been issued. The original draft was submitted by the London
County Council in July, 1900.
Combined Drainage.-The following systems of combined drainage, of which no records
(with one exception) could be found, were proved defective and the reconstruction ordered.
All were referred to the Works Department for reconstruction, except the first.
Artesian Road, Nos. 55, 57, and 59. Victoria Place, Nos. 22 and 23.
Alexander Street, Nos. 19 and 20. Windsor Gardens, Nos. 1-12.
„ Nos. 28 and 29. Windsor Street, Nos. 8 & 9; 10&11; 16&17.
Artesian Road, Nos. 2, 4, and 6. Jonson Mews, Nos. 10, 12, 13, and 14.
Canterbury Terrace, Nos. 11-21 (odd). Porchester Terrace, Nos. 74-86 (even).
Clarendon Gardens, Nos. 1-17. „ Square, Nos. 30-46 (consec.)
Courtnell Street, Nos. 30 and 32. Portsdown Road, No. 59.
Harrow Road, Nos. 291 and 293. Praed Street, Nos. 120 and 122.
Hereford Road, Nos. 69 and 71. Arthur Mews, No. 150.
Moscow Road, Nos. 75 and 77.
A combined system serving
Nos. 37, 39, and 41, Talbot Road
was reconstructed on the owner's initiative and at his expense.
New combined (private) systems were sanctioned by Orders under Section 74 of the
Metropolis Management Act, 1855, at
Kensal Road, Nos. 174, 176, and 178.
Artesian Road, Nos. 55, 57, and 59.
Kensington Gardens Square, Nos. 50-53 (incl.)
In Queen's Park Ward the greater part of the drainage is bv combined systems at the
backs of the houses. During the year 208 house drains, being branches connected to the combined
systems, were tested with the chemical ferret, and 182 were found to be defective. Of