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15
excrement, and other kinds of filth which is allowed
to go through the process of decay and decomposition
within the limits of the town. These matters may be
buried in our graveyards, concealed in privies and
cesspools, heaped up in dustmen's yards, or flowing in
open ditches and gutters, but still in all these situations
they pour forth volumes of deleterious gases
into the air, and thus produce fevers, diarrhoea,
dysentery, erysipelas, &c., and add malignity and
fatality to many other diseases."
"Another evil in Woolwich is the insufficient manner in
which the town is supplied with water. From this
circumstanoe results a want of cleanliness in the
persons, in 'the clothing, and in the dwellings of
the poor."
"Apother circumstance prejudicial to the health of
Woolwich is the overcrowded state of the dwellings
of the poor, and the existence in the town of
several common lodging-houses of the worst possible
character. In these crowded residences the air becomes
humid, heated, and in a high degree impure."
"The first and most important improvement will be
the thorough drainage of the marsh land between
Woolwich and Erith."
Mr. R. Ruegg stated as follows:—
"The great cause of sickness was the presence of the
marsh lands, which girded Woolwich, more particularly
the Plunistead Marshes, which were the hotbed
of malaria. In the spring of 1848 its ravages were
frightful. About 4,000 persons were laid up at that