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Greenwich, it is rare to find more than a trace of common salt or sulphates; we
find traces of nitric acid, and a greater abundance of animalcules, especially
of the Paramecium, of protophyt.es, and of unconverted organic matter. But I think
it has not been proved by distinct evidence that this unconverted organic matter
exists in a form which is capable of producing disease, so long, that is, as it is
not deposited on the banks. The conditions under which the sewage at present
flows into the river, are the most favourable for rapid conversion and disinfection;
flowing constantly by thousands of natural out-falls and sewers into the Thames,
along many miles of its course, the sewage is so sub-divided that speedy and perfect
admixture with the stream is ensured. Very different are the conditions for the
reception of the sewage by the Thames, in the plan adopted by the Metropolitan
Board of Works, and very different would be the results. Concentrated in enormous
masses, and discharged intermittingly by two points of out-fall only, the entire sewage
of London would be propelled in a stream of great velocity. Under these circumstances
the sewage would not instantly mix with, and be diluted by the whole volume
of the river, as has been unaccountably assumed. Like the Gulf-stream which flows
across the Atlantic; like the Plata which carries its stream of fresh water unmingled
many miles into the ocean; like the confluence of the Rhine and the Main, whose
streams, one coloured red, the other green, run on side by side, two rivers in one bed;
so would the great Sewage-stream hold itscourse, a concentration of pollution, undiluted
by the waters of the Thames. Other objections against this scheme have been
well urged in the able report of your chief surveyor, Mr. Freebody. I advert to the
subject here, because I deeply feel the importance of not suffering ourselves to be
diverted from those practical sanitary duties which cannot be neglected without
entailing incalculable cost of money and health.
During the past quarter 217 houses have been specially reported on by
myself or the inspectors. In the East division 298 notices, and in the West division
319 have been issued for the removal of nuisances, the abolition of cess-pools, the
repair of drains, and the ventilation and cleansing of dwellings. The sewerage
accommodation has, under your order, and the superintendence of the Surveyor, been
extending; but I wish to take this opportunity of urging that measures be adopted to
hasten the communication of houses with the new sewers in all cases where the
occupiers have not yet availed themselves of the benefit now within their reach. A