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9
tion on many equally demonstrative of the desired favourable
conditions.
In reviewing the sanitary history of the past year we must consider
how much we have progressed in the removal of those natural
conditions prejudicial to health, and how far we have curbed or
removed those incidental to operations of a social nature, as also to
what extent we have added to our sanitary appliances. In a word
how many open offensive ditches have been covered over, cleansed
or removed; how many effective sewers and drains have been constructed,
and how far those already in existence have been rendered
available for our purpose. To what extent have we prevented the
pollution of the air by effluvia from noxious trades, and improved
the purity of our dwellings by increased cleanliness within them.
The records of the Sanitary Committee show the number of works
accomplished, and are given in the general report of the Board.
The main-drainage scheme proceeds so slowly that little can be
said of sewers constructed save that now in hand at Shepherd's Bush,
whilst the absence of power to enforce a water supply for domestic
purposes yet remains an opprobrium to the statute book.
water supply.
In any effort to improve the sanitary condition of the dwellings
of the poor especially, not only water, but a good supply of it is an
indispensable necessary. Without this adjunct no effectual trapping
and panning of closets or flushing of drains can be accomplished,
whilst it is equally essential for preserving the healthful state of
the houses and the occupants themselves. Many cases could be
enumerated where the absence of an efficient water supply has
completely defeated the permanency of all other sanitary improvements
; the traps to privies and drains are rendered in-operative,
and the pipes become speedily blocked with solid soil.
The removal of the nuisance arising from that ultra-abomination
known as the "Dismal Swamp" will be hailed with satisfaction by
all. The refuse from the extensive Laundry and Bleaching Factory
of Messrs. Macalpine in Blythe Lane has been diverted from it,
whilst the drainage from Shepherd's Bush will in future be satisfactorily
effected by the new sewer in the Uxbridge Road.
offensive trades.
Amongst the offensive trades which have been carried on around
us, the keeping of Pigs stands prominently forward. The population
however has now so much increased that it is necessary our District
should no longer be made unwholesome merely on account of its
contiguity to richer and more luxurious parishes, to whom the
removal of the inconvertible refuse is solely a question of cost.
Hitherto this has been accomplished without expense to the pro-