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have arisen from the processes employed in obtaining it. When the
ammoniacal liquor is first saturated with the sulphuric acid in a
closed tank, larger quantities of hydro-sulphurous gas, and hydrosulphate
of ammonia are given off; they ascend through a tube into
the shaft, and being rather heavier than the atmosphere, fall in damp,
still weather about the neighbourhood of the factory.
One of the tanks, too, about a month ago, had become leaky,
and the liquid had run, unperceived, into a watercloset; a man
entering the closet without suspicion of danger, fell senseless at the
door, and was with difficulty rescued from death.
This leakage had been going on for some time, and had given rise
to the filthy smell complained of about that period. The leakage
has since been stopped, and at the time of my visit, on the 16th
February, the works had no more smell than gas works generally
have, and the evaporation of the mother liquor, containing the
sulphate of ammonia could not be smelt outside of the building.
Several of the nuisances formerly complained of have entirely
ceased. The muriate of ammonia is no longer made, not from any
regard to the noses and health of the inhabitants of Rotherhithe, but
for the simple reason that it did not pay. Wet lime is no longer
used as a purifier, oxyde of iron having been substituted for it, and
the open pit in the yard into which the wet lime saturated with the
hydro-sulphurous gas (Blue Billy), used to be cast, has been entirely
disappeared. Its contents having been used up for luting the
retorts. The premises are altogether more clean and orderly than
formerly. Four good water-closets, with pan and water supply, have
been constructed. There is also, now, a washing-room for the men,
and a dining-room, with tables and compartment-cupboards, where
the workmen can take their food in comfort while employed on the
works.
At No. 52, Lower Queen-street, the pipe of the water-closet is
stopped and the pan full in consequence.
At Nos. 1 and 2, Upper Queen-street, there is a full cesspool,
common to the two houses. The liquid contents of this cesspool
ooze through a back wall into the cellar of the pork-butcher of No.
336, Rotherhithe-wall, and not only render his house exceedingly
unhealthy, but deprive him of the power of using his cellar for
storing his meat.
Nos. 7, 8, 9, and 11½, Silver-street: the privies are full and overflowing.
The privy common to 7 and 8, has no door, and the two
houses have no water supply. As all these cases were urgent,
notices were at once served.
The Patent Manure Works at Hanover Stairs have again been
visited by me. There is always a disagreable smell at this part of
Rotherhithe-street. It arises from the sugar-scum stored on the
premises, and from the acid vapours emanating from the newly-made