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closets, in the place of the disgusting open cesspools which abound
throughout the parish, and above all improved drainage, which is a
necessity in almost every locality in which the poor dwell. Speaking
in one of his returns of the examination of 35 houses in South Street,
Garratt Lane, Mr. Nicholas observes, " On the west side of this street,
five houses are supplied by means of three pumps, the water being good,
all the rest use the "Wandle water. Some of the privies of these last
houses are made to overhang the river, an arrangement which, while
furnishing an excellent illustration of the simple mechanical principles
which should be adopted for the fulfilment of efficient drainage, must
be admitted to be ill calculated to ensure a supply of wholesome water
for drinking purposes, the water being dipped, within a yard or so, of
the entrance of foecal matter."
BATTERSEA. Particular attention is called by Dr. Connor to the
unsanitary condition of the houses in Francis Street, in one of which
seven cases of Scarlet Fever had occurred, and which he conceived had
been very greatly aggravated by the filthy state and defective drainage
of this locality. In one of the returns there is also mentioned an inspection
of Ford's Buildings, which disclosed similar deficiencies as
those found in Francis Street, the keeping of pigs (77 in number, in the
rear of the buildings), contributing in no small degree to the unhealthiness
of the neighbourhood. Other inspections are alluded to, and the
houses said to be greatly deficient in drainage, dust-bins, and traps to
the gullies. The health of this sub-district is spoken of as having been,
tolerably good throughout the quarter, but that several of the diseases
of the zymotic class had been prevalent.
PUTNEY. In the returns from my own sub-district, the existence of
a nuisance arising from defective drainagc, is pointed out in the Upper
Richmond Eoad, where fever of a low type prevailed, the effect, it was
supposed, of miasma from an open ditch in a filthy condition, situate
in the parish of Barnes. Works are, I believe now in progress to remedy
this evil. Nuisances existing on the lower common, and the very defective
drainage of that locality are also alluded to. Here again, improvements
are in progress; but the neighbourhood is I consider in anything but a
sound sanitary condition. It is my opinion that many beneficial results
will spring from the construction of the new sewerage of this town, and it
affords me much satisfaction to be able to state that the works connected
with this long desired undertaking are being carried out in a very
efficient manner by the Contractor. The inspection of houses in this