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scheme put forth to remedy this growing evil of over-crowding, is to have a system of
cheap railways to the outskirts of the metropolis, so as to enable the labouring
classes to live out of town. I do not think that a faubourg of the metropolis entirely
inhabited by work-people is desirable. The rich and the poor, the learned and the
unlearned, should live near to each other, so that the example of the more elevated in
rank might prove profitable to their humbler fellow citizens.
On referring to table No. 2 in the appendix, it will be seen among other
sanitary improvements effected, that 1164 cesspools have been abolished, and a
complete system of drainage effected in their stead. Although, so much care is taken
to fill up cesspools, it is strange that more effective measures are not taken to remove
daily all dung-heaps from stables and cow-sheds, the effluvia from which are similar
to those arising from cesspools. It is also very singular, that the antiquated notion of
the wholesomeness of cow-sheds should still be prevalent—that the effluvium from the
excrementious matter of cows is really beneficial to the health of some invalids—that
consumptive patients, and children suffering from hooping cough, have resorted to those
places, and have derived benefit from inhaling the atmosphere in them! Scientific men,
however, who have investigated this subject, have arrived at a different conclusion
respecting the alleged wholesomeness of the atmosphere of cow-houses, and they have
adduced numerous instances showing that they are injurious to health. I am inclined
to look upon the assertion of the beneficial effects of cow-houses upon health to be
merely a tradition, not founded upon fact; but, if invalids have really derived benefit
from visiting such places, the benefit is to be attributed to the hygeianic accompaniments
of such visits, such as the early rising, the daily walk in the country, the diversion of
the mind, and the drinking of a glass of pure rich milk from cows fed on good pasture
land.
The number of houses systematically visited by the Inspectors during the last
quarter, was 362, and during the year, the number was 1111. It was found, upon
inspection, that the back yards belonging to several of the houses which were visited,
were in a damp and unwholesome condition, from their being unpaved. In every
instance, where this sanitary defect existed, a notice was served upon the landlord to
pave the yard, so that the noxious exhalations arising from the earth, which had become
saturated with decaying animal and vegetable matter, might be prevented. In the course
of visitation, the Inspectors also found that several houses occupied by the poor had
not been limewhited for very many years. In all those cases, where the walls were
found to be in a dirty condition, and where fever had recently existed, orders were given
to the landlords to limewhite the rooms. The frequent limewhiting of rooms is of great
importance to the health of the tenants, for walls retain the poison which is emitted
from the lungs in respiration, and from the exhalations of the skin.
The importance of making a house-to-house visitation, is almost universally
admitted, and I am happy to find it 13 now becoming generally adopted in the several
districts in the metropolis, and the advantage derivable from this proceeding will be felt
by the whole community. It is well known, that fever, and analogous diseases, do not