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from that when so-called pail flushing, or, in other words, no
regular flushing was depended upou, equals all reasonable expectations
which have been formed, and doubtless has its influence
upon the habits of the poor, as well as upon their health, in
accustoming them to a higher standard of cleanliness. As many
as 1560 water-closets were thus supplied during 1884, on the
order of the Vestry, 250 water-closets were repaired, and 1107
houses cleansed, of which 690 were disinfected after occupation
by persons suffering from infectious disease. The disconnection
of waste pipes of cisterns from drains has been practically completed,
aud many of the waste pipes of sinks have been also
disconnected.
The work of providing a constant water supply for the Parish
steadily progressed, and in those districts where it was introduced,
it was followed by an improved condition of cleanliness.
Previously, the use of water for one purpose or another, for the
washing of costermongers' barrows and their contents, and for
allied purposes, left many of the houses during the early part othe
day without any further supply, without the means for flushf
ing water-closets, and without the means for ensuring proper
cleanliness of dwelling-houses. But this is not all. The system
of storage in cisterns and water-butts, where roof droppings, and
often filth, are deposited, led to contamination of drinking
water, which must undoubtedly have b,een prejudicial to health.
The full effect of the change which is brought about cannot be
seen yet, but it will assuredly be seen in the future, in the prevention
of sickness, and the saving of life among all classes, but
especially among those which are most dependent upon the
efforts of the Sanitary Authority.
Forty-six houses were reported to the Vestry as unfit for
human habitation, and orders were made for the demolition
or repairs of these premises, or their continued occupation
was forbidden. It may be worth while to repeat what
has often been said before, that structural repairs cannot
be enforced under the Nuisance Removal Acts, which only
enable the Vestry to insist upon the abatement of nuisances ; the
difference between these conditions is very distinct, and should
be clearly understood. That it has not been understood I have
but too much reason for thinking. In the large Parish of bt.
Pancras, with over twenty-four thousand houses, there are many
which are gradually becoming unfit for human habitation, and
the Vestry possess no effectual remedy but to resort to the Artizans
and Labourers' Dwellings Act, for the prevention of the ill-health
which results from the occupation of houses in this condition.