Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hanover Square, The Vestry of the Parish of Saint George]
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the back wall of No. 5, Berkeley Street, and thence into
a common brick rain-water channel, in close contiguity with
the walls of No. 5 and No. 7. After a time the joints of the
iron pipe became defective, and effluvia escaped from them
through the thin cracked old wall into the apartments of
No. 5. Moreover, the old brick drain became saturated with
sewage matter, which penetrated the wall of No. 7, causing
intense annoyance and severe illness. Complaint was made
to the Local Authority, and much time was expended in
ascertaining the real facts of the case, and in endeavouring
to persuade the owner of the stable to remove the offending
pipe; but at last it became evident that no good would be
done by private remonstrance, for the owners of the stable
alleged, either that there was no nuisance, or that, if there
was a nuisance, it was probably caused by something wrong
on the premises of the complainant himself; or thirdly, that
whether this were the case or no, the wall containing the pipe
was their own property, and they had a right to do as they
liked with it. Then the Local Authority gave directions
that the case should be brought before the magistrate at
Marlborough Street. It was accordingly heard on the 18th
February; when, after a hard fight, the magistrate persuaded
the defendant to submit to his decision, after he
should have viewed the premises. Mr. Bingham accordingly
inspected them on the 21st of February, and the result was
an order, confirming altogether the decision of the Local
Authority, and requiring that the pipe and drain complained
of should be absolutely removed, and that a new drainage
should be provided. Mr. Bingham very justly remarked on
the benefits of the new law, whereby any person aggrieved in
the manner in which the complainants in this case were, may be
saved the expense of an action in one of the Superior Courts,