View report page

12
of the responsible Minister, that he would insert in his
new Public Health Bill a clause bearing upon this most
important sanitary question, will not, at least for some
time, be realised, since that part of the Bill in which the
clause referred to was to have appeared, has been withdrawn.*
Server Ventilation.-So frequently have the Medical
Officers of Health discussed this question in their reports,
that some apology seems to be needed for reverting to it
in this place. So continually also are complaints being
made of the noxious smells emanating from the sewer
gratings in public places, that it seems desirable the subject
should be further considered, with the view of discovering,
if possible, some improved means of depriving
the sewer gases of their noxious qualities.
Amongst the suggestions to this end which have emanated
from scientific men, may be mentioned that of the
free use of charcoal. "In 1854," writes Dr. Stenhouse,
in the Times of a recent date " I was fortunate enough
* Since this Report was written Mr. Stansfeld's Public Health Bill has
been reprinted, as "amended," and has subsequently passed both Houses of
Parliament. The clauses relating to the appointment of sanitary authorities,
urban and rural, remain; but all from clause 32 to clause 69 have been
struck out. These clauses defined and prohibited nuisances by pollution of
streams, and required the ventilation of sewers and drains, and the cleansing
of streets, and earth and other closets. A right of entry into houses to
inspect the condition of drains was given. The Nuisances Removal Act of
1863 was extended to milk and tea. A penalty of £20 might be inflicted
for the sale of unsound human food; and a search warrant might be granted
on reasonable cause shown. A clause contained provisions for the closing of
foul wells and pumps, and of buildings unfit for habitation. There were provisions
for testing and securing the purity of water supply, regulations relating
to gas, stipulations for hospital accommodation for persons having dangerous
diseases, and also for disinfecting apparatus. The Local Government
Board was to have power to direct the establishment of dispensaries,
and might also require mortuaries to be provided. There was a penalty on
giving a false answer when letting as to the recent existence of infectious
disease in the house. All these and some other clauses connected with them
have been unfortunately struck out, and an Act much crippled in its intended
usefulness has been the result.