View report page

10
But let us state the Thames-theory of disease. I
find the most explicit enunciation of this doctrine in
the reports of the Registrar-General. In the Cholera
Report of 1848-9, it is said, ''That after the Tempera"ture
of the Thames has risen above 60°, summer"cholera
and dysentery become prevalent, and disappear
"as the temperature subsides." The causative relation
of the two phenomena is set forth in the following
passages:—"The effect of temperature upon the Thames
"water in tainting the surrounding air is exhibited by
"the well known fact, that diarrhoea and summer-cho"lera
become prevalent after the temperature of the
"Thames has attained to 60°; and from the fact that
"as the water declines from this temperature, so also
"do the above diseases." (Mr. Glashier, Cholera-Report
1855, p. 100) "678,505 gallons evaporate from an acre
"of water in a year The bed of the Thames is esti-
"mated at 2245 acres; consequently, 4,170,000 gallons
" are raised daily. Hence it is probable that 4,000,000
"gallons or 18,000 tons of water are raised from the
"polluted Thames daily, and discharged into the atmo"sphere,
which is breathed by the inhabitants of London."
(Mr. Glaisher). "The drains, again, pour their contents
"into the Thames, from which in its course through
"London in ordinary times, more than four million
"gallons of water are evaporated daily, carrying with
"the vapour, and diffusing all over the town, impurities
"which are breathed by the whole population." (Regis"trar-General's
weekly Report, June 26,1858). Nothing