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42
all epidemics, whether at home or abroad, that diarrhœ
a
invariably precedes cholera. The necessity, therefore, of
immediate attention to the premonitory diarrhoea is
evident.
With the good system of drainage now existing
in this district, a plentiful supply of pure water, which
should be constant, the prevention of accumulation of
house refuse, and other offensive matters, and due regard
to the laws of health, are the means by which we can
prevent an outbreak of cholera and other diseases in our
midst.
I may here again refer to the dust-bins in crowded
courts. Frequently do I see them filled with refuse
of every description. In some yards there are no
dust-bins at all, the dust and refuse being deposited
in a corner of the little back yard. I would suggest
that in the place of dust-bins behind each house in
crowded courts, there should be one common receptacle,
placed in a convenient position, so that the dustmen
might empty it at least every two days, or more frequently
at those seasons of the year when it should be deemed
necessary.
Great complaints have been made during the year
of offensive gases escaping from the sewers, and there
cannot be a doubt that the means now in use for
ventilating the sewers, viz., by the Road Ventilators, is not
conducive to health, for any noxious gases given off must
be immediately diffused amongst the people. In some
instances shafts have been placed by the side of houses in
the hope of carrying away the smells; they are then said
to descend the chimneys, and cause the rooms to be unbearable,
so much so that a shaft in Church Road was