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43
stopped up. But whilst relieving themselves of a nuisance
little thought was given of the effects which would ensue to
the men working in the neighbouring sewers. So overcome
were they that the fact was reported to the Board, and
the said shaft was ordered to be unstopped. I should
think if the ventilating shafts were carried some 10 feet
higher, and some disinfectant used in the shaft, these ill
effects would be greatly remedied. The great point is
what to do with, or how to effectually get rid of, and, if
possible, to destroy these sewage gases ; this may be done
by passing them through a furnace and burning them.
We have in this District many factories, and I cannot see
any difficulty in obtaining permission to utilise their fires
for this purpose; indeed, I believe that Messrs. Price & Co.
once offered one of their furnaces for the purpose referred
to. It would require a constant draught made by a
revolving fan, or some other means, but this would be a
matter for the Surveyor. If this could be accomplished it
would rid the District of what is, at times, especially in
the High Street, an intolerable nuisance. It is difficult to
explain why the smell should be so bad for perhaps two
hours only, except on the supposition that some fluids are
discharged into the sewers from factories, &c., which
decompose the fcecal matter, and so liberate sulphurous
gases, but where these liquors come from, or their special
nature, I know not.
Mortality.—The total number of deaths which were
registered during the past year was 674, 358 being males
and 316 females —138 of which took place in Public
Institutions, viz. : 4 in the Westminster Industrial School
and 134 in the Workhouse Infirmary; deducting these 138
deaths, which will be taken into account in the combined
summary, it would leave 536 as the correct number which
occurred in this out-door district* during the year. This
* Out-door with reference to Infirmary.