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150
Report of the Medical Officer of Health.
objection, viz.:—that in times of heavy rain when ventilation is
most required the house drain is frequently running half full and
consequently the sectional area available for ventilation is much
reduced.
Another method of ventilating the sewer by means of the
house drain unprovided with an intercepting trap is open to the
same objection and also to the more serious one that if the drain
is in any way defective, sewer gas will find its way into the house,
more especially if such drain, as is frequently the case, runs under
the house.
The deodorisation of sewer gas by means of chemicals or
gas burners has also been tried and found ineffective, the latter
method being not only useless but very expensive.
The only zymotic disease that has been suggested as in any
way caused by emanations from sewers is Diphtheria, and
although I have carefully examined the localities where such
emanations are complained of I have been unable to come to the
conclusion that this disease has been in any way directly caused
by such emanations.
At first sight, it would appear that such causation could be
proved, but the experience of last year with regard to the outbreak
on the Hyde Farm estate and also in certain localities in
Wandsworth has forced me to adopt a different view as to the
causation of the disease. There is no question, however, that the
constant inhalation of air impregnated with sewer gas gives rise to
a lessened vitality and renders the system more liable to attacks
of other diseases, and especially is this true of Diphtheria, and
sore throat of a non-diphtheritic character, but that the casual
inhalation of sewer gas can give rise to any specific disease is, in
my opinion, improbable.
P. CALDWELL SMITH,
Medical Officer of Health.
29th January, 1903.
After consideration of these reports the Sub-Committee
reported to the Council as follows: —