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39
But three cases had to be taken before the Magistrate,
iu each of which compulsory orders were obtained, and
the works executed.
The number of houses disinfected after infectious
diseases was 257, the largest number yet disinfected in
any year. Increasing experience of the efficacy of
sulphurous acid gas fumigation but confirms the high
estimation in which the method is held, for cheapness,
safety and efficiency. It will be observed that no case
of infectious disease recurred after such disinfection. In
the summary of sanitary operations to be found in the
appendix the detailed statement will shew that very
many defects have been remedied by the execution of
the necessary works, entailing as a rule in each case
repeated inspections.
Defective house drains required cleansing and repairing
in 590 instances, in addition to which 550 new or
relaid drains were carried out. Syphon traps were laid
to drains in 107 instances. These constitute altogether
valuable improvements to the house drainage of the sub.
district, which has been much improved during the last
few years, but few of the grosser defecfs being now
found. it is however a matter of primary importance
that the ventilation and treatment of the gases generated
in the main sewers should receive earnest attention, as
any back pressure of gas readily forces the weak water
seals of the domestic drains to the injury of the health
of the inhabitants.
In fact the time has arrived when a more systematic
and scientific method of ventilating the main sewers
must be devised and adopted than the present weak
expedient of surface ventilators, which arc offensive