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118 Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
822 yards in connection with dwelling houses and 69 in connection
with stables were drained, paved, or cleansed during the
year, compared with 761 and 40 in the previous year.
The climatic conditions during the year were such that a large
number of yards in connection with dwelling houses were rendered
insanitary. In the majority of cases the yard had been paved,
but was in a dilapidated condition. This class of nuisance is
almost wholly confined to the houses occupied by the working
classes, and no trouble was experienced in having the nuisance
abated.
3,187 rooms and 449 passages were cleansed and repaired,
compared with 3,086 and 404 in 1902.
1,245 drains were cleansed and repaired, an increase of 309,
compared with the previous year.
249 notices of reconstruction of drains were sent on to the
Surveyors from this Department; 26 in Clapham, 29 in Putney,
105 in Streatham, seven in Tooting, and 82 in Wandsworth.
The number of water-closets cleansed and repaired was 1,783,
compared with 1,465 in 1902.
282 accumulations of manure were removed after service of
notice. A considerable number of complaints have been received
with reference to nuisances from this cause. 29 orders had to be
served under the By-laws for the periodical removal of the manure
every forty-eight hours.
849 water cisterns were cleansed, covered or repaired, an
increase of 124, compared with last year.
As the By-law which refers to the cleansing of cisterns was
found not to be complied with in a large number of premises, I
advised the Council to have a circular letter printed which could be
either left at each house or forwarded to owners of property. The
letter was as follows:—
"Council House,
"Wandsworth, S.W.
December, 1903.
"The Council having had under consideration a report
"respecting the condition of water supplied to London, and
"the amount of suspended matter contained therein, which is
"deposited on the bottom of cisterns if the water is allowed