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20 Parish of St. George the Martyr, Southwark.
In December, 1848, when cholera was general in the neighbourhood, the proprietor was
compelled to close the place, owing to a sudden and severe outbreak of diarrhoea in the
workhouse. In consequence of this the occupants returned to their ordinary state of health.
Five months after, the manufactory was reopened. In the course of a few days the wind again
blew from the unhealthy point, and filled the workhouse with an insufferable stench. The first
night forty-five boys whose dormitories faced the works, were seized with diarrhœa. The
manufactory was then finally closed, and no like attacks from diarrhoea happened any more.
Effluvium is lighter than common air, and consequently is carried away from its source, to
fall and work its evil influences afar off. Indeed, epidemic poison may undergo some
change, or be decomposed, as happens to the poison of malaria in large cities; a fact which
has been observed to occur in many of the cities of the Western States of America, as also
in Rome. The effluvia destroys the morbid poison. The power which these effluvia may
have for evil, will be modified by the locality in which noixous trades are carried on, and
by the manner they are carried on, as well as by the nature and state of the decomposing
matter. The workmen employed, are those of a good sound constitution; for the delicate
and ailing would never undertake such disgusting trades. Besides, they are liberally paid,
and can command substantial diet. A man well fed would pass through an epidemic unhurt,
whilst one ill, or imperfectly fed, would fall a helpless victim. If these works were
conducted in small il-ventilated workshops, whereby the emanations become concentrated,
little doubt would remain of their pernicious influence ; death under such circumstances has
followed to those thus exposed, as suddenly as from a stroke of lightning. But, surely,
stench is itself a nuisance, even if entirely free from harm. Air, impregnated with foul
effluvia, is avoided alike by the savage and the sage ; all are akin with regard to this. And
whilst granting the necessity and utility of these trades, they render life near them unpleasant.
They also stand as serious obstacles in the way of improving the neighbourhood; for
there no one would care to build, or if they did, would build but the lowest class houses.
Such a locality is doomed to remain stationary, or, to degenerate. But there comes an end
to their continuance in towns. On the 9th day of August, 1874, it will not be lawful to
continue to carry on such businesses in the like situations; until then, these smells and
annoyances must be borne with ; for, although they may be lessened by care and cleanliness,
they cannot be entirely got rid of by any means within our knowledge.
Thus time and circumstances do much for us; they help us onward in our way; but as
fast as we advance, in like proportion stretches wider the horizon cf duty. The place of
rest which once seemed near, keeps ever receding. We shall always have to march, and to
march it may be victorious over every obstacle, yet never shall the final triumph be achieved.
Always will there remain work to be done. It is however a great and good work; it seeks
impartially the benefit of all; it belongs to no sect; wears no party badge; and is not
limited to any class of individuals girt around by professional education and ceremony.
Every mortal can do something; "the divine in his study and in the house of prayer; the
general in his camp; the legislator and the magistrate in their constant ordering of the
people; and the physician in his daily conversance with scenes of every kind, and intercourse
with men of every class." So shall that which has been done, be but the mere earnest of
that which shall be done.
HENRY BATESON, M.D.
April 26th, 1864. Medical Officer of Health.