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upper part of the river. There seems no reason why
the Thames should not be drawn upon by the municipal
authorities, as well as by private companies.
9. Constant observation of the river has satisfied
me that, with the aid of embankments to contract the
width of the river at the proper points, an incline of one
foot in twelve or even less, of the banks, will suffice to
prevent the deposit of mud in almost any part.
10. If concurrently with the preceding means, the
sewage could be brought down more diluted, and the
outlets of the sewers extended to near mid-stream, so as
to bring the sewage within the direct influence of the
scour, I believe that putrefactive decomposition would
very rarely occur.
11. P utrefactive decomposition would never occur—
it does not do so even under present disadvantages—
after moderate rain-falls. It would not therefore be
necessary to intercept the true sewage-matter by deodorisation,
which I take to be the only proper interception,
except occasionally during intervals of hot and dry
weather.
12. There seems reason to conclude, that with
occasional deodorisation of the sewage at the mouths
of the principal sewers, the river may be made efficient
for the relief of the metropolis in its actual extent