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is a matter of observation that these diseases prevail most extensively in the
undrained districts. The diminution of this gigantic evil deservedly occupies the
serious attention of your body. Two works alone already in active progress,
will accomplish much good in this direction. The works now proceeding in and about
Hertford-place will drain an area of three acres and a quarter; those ordered in the
Old Street Road will drain an area of nearly four acres. It is useful, however, to
bear in mind that 200 acres of ground densely inhabited still need that first of all
Sanitary provisions in a site pitched upon for a permanent encampment—the means
of getting rid of the excreta attendant upon animal life.
Another object that demands to be kept constantly in view is that of opening
thoroughfares, by the continuation of streets wherever suitable opportunities occur.
It is especially desirable to carry out improvements of this description in the more
crowded localities consisting of labyrinths of narrow courts where the sun can rarely
shine, where tne air cannot circulate, where the soil cannot be kept dry or clean,
and where human beings wither and die. My attention has lately been directed to
one spot offering peculiar facilities at this moment for effecting a most useful opening.
Some dilapidated houses have been recently pulled down in Duke Street, Long Alley.
Were the space thus cleared, thrown into the street, a free communication would
be obtained between Market Street, Finsbury, and Long Alley, which would act as a
ventilating shaft to this crowded locality, and greatly conduce to increased cleanliness
and health.
Water Supply and Storeage.—I have become acquainted with several
densely-inhabited localities, the insalubrity of which is increased by the objectionable
mode in which the water is stored. Underground tanks or reservoirs are
constructed to receive the water daily turned on from the main of one of the
Water Companies. The common situation of these tanks is the middle of a
square or court. It is impossible that they can be so secured as to keep out all
penetration of dirty-water and oozings from the pest-stratum in which they
are built. Being underground, their condition is not subject to constant inspection,
as every receptacle for pure water ought to be. No householder is, or ought
to be, satisfied unless he can examine and clean out his own water-butt several times in
the year. But it is fortunate if these subterranean tanks being out of sight, exposed
though they be to the most dangerous description of contamination—that of sewage
water—get cleaned once in five or ten years. I have submitted samples taken from
three of these tanks to examination. They abounded in mechanical impurities,
exhibiting, under the microscope, quantities of organic debris, such as shreds of cotton,