View report page

105
The system of flushing can also be assisted by flushing privatecourts,
by obtaining periodical flushings at stated times by
private owners, and by constructing a number of flushing tanks to
empty themselves automatically and periodically.
I do not recommend the last suggestion on account of the
expense, except as a means of dealing with any specially bad case
that may arise.
Ventilation.—With respect to ventilation, it is well known
that every untrapped opening to a sewer creates a current of air
in the sewer, and either acts as a ventilator or assists ventilation.
Under these circumstances the greater the number of openings
that are obtained at different levels the more effectual will be
the ventilation. The policy to be adopted is, therefore, to multiply
these openings, especially those which can be obtained in convenient
positions at a height from the ground, either by special
pipes or shafts or by untrapped rain-water-pipes.
VENTILATING SHAFTS.
There are at present only two small ventilating shafts in
Fulham carried to any height. It is to be regretted that private
owners of property do not assist the Yestry more in this matter,
as without the co-operation of owners of adjoining property it is
not possible to erect air shafts. Even those who complain of a
nuisance created by a street ventilator will frequently not assist
the Yestry by allowing air shafts to be erected on or near their
property.
REST LAMPS AS VENTILATORS.
One means of obtaining ventilating shafts that has been neglected
is by choosing a suitable pattern rest lamp, and making it
act as a ventilator.
Charcoal.—The use of charcoal as a deoderizer has been
throroughly tried for ten years in Croydon, and finally abandoned.
The charcoal acts only while it is dry, and as it also absorbs
moisture it soon becomes useless. It has been tried and
abandoned by the Fulham Board of Works. It is not practicable
to adopt it systematically. It may, however, be used in solitary
instances to mitigate special evils, and where particular attention
to the supply of dry charcoal can be given.
Cowls, etc.—There are also many schemes, proposals and
patents for assisting the ventilation of sewers by means of cowls
and fans, etc. Cowls are all so dependent on air shafts that the
Yestry might first consider the difficulty of providing the shafts