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With respect to> the fifth paragraph, in view of the fact that intercepting traps are
usually several feet below the surface of the ground and as a rule have a deeper seal
than other forms of traps, we are unable to agree with the statement that "they are
quickly affected and often unsealed by ordinary variations of temperature. Of course
local warmth might evaporate the water in the trap, but as the water is, so long as
the drain is in use, frequently being changed, it does not appear to us that the objection
against the use of interceptors contained in this paragraph is worthy of serious
consideration.
We do not admit that the statement contained in the sixth paragraph as to the
great majority of interceptors not being properly set, represents the truth, at least
so far as Shoreditch is concerned. Even if it were true, it would not be a valid objection
to the use of interceptors as such. It would rather indicate that better supervision
was required on the part of the Sanitary Authority, to ensure that the bye-laws
as to drain construction were properly complied with,
With respect to the seventh paragraph, the statement that the majority of the
Medical Officers in London are in favour of interceptors may be correct. Doubtless
their opinion as to the utility of interceptors from a health point of view, carried some
weight with the London County Council in framing their bye-laws. One of the objects
of the bye-laws is to secure that the sanitary condition of the dwellings of the people,
so far as house drainage is concerned, shall be as perfect as possible. Health officers
naturally regard the use of intercepting traps from a health point of view, and as the
use of such traps is regarded as the most reliable safeguard! against the emission of
sewer gas on private premises, as such it has been advocated. A study of the bye-laws
would, we think, make it impossible to believe that the London County Council, in
framing them did not consider the opinions of engineers and other practical men who
were well acquainted with the most modern views on the subject of house drainage.
The eighth paragraph refers to a point to which the Borough Surveyor of Lewisham
directs attention, viz.:—that the low death-rate of the Parish of Lewisham justifies
the action taken in Lewisham against the use of interceptors, prior to the coming
into operation of the bye-laws. We do not intend to discuss the nature of the connection
assumed to exist between the low death-rate mentioned and the non-use of
intercepting traps. All we desire to do is to direct attention to the following facts: (1)
that of late years there has been a marked increase in the use of intercepting traps
in the Metropolis, and that since the bye-laws were passed their use has become compulsory;
and (2) the general death-rate of the Metropolis has of late years declined and
since 1900, the year the bye-laws came into operation, it has been remarkably low.
We think that inasmuch as the Borough Surveyor of Lewisham has put forward the
low death-rate of the Parish of Lewisham in justification of the non-use of intercepting
traps, we may with equal propriety point to the low death-rate of the Metropolis during
recent years as justifying the use of such traps.