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the waste of water from overflow; it would be a benefit to
owners of house property, as it would save the necessity for
cisterns for storage; and it would be an incalculable benefit
to the consumers, especially those of the poorer class. It
would greatly diminish sickness (especially from zymotic disease),
and would greatly improve the tone of the poorer class,
who pay little attention to the cleansing of cisterns, and prefer
drinks supposed to be of a cleaner kind to swallowing a repulsive
looking impure water; indeed if cisterns were placed more
generally within view, few people would wish to partake of
their contents.
I would again mention to you the condition of drains as a
subject which demands constant care.
Under the present system of drainage, many houses are
supplied with sinks, waterclosets, baths, &c., within the house,
all of which communicate directly with the sewer.
These communications are essentially chimneys to the drain,
and, unless the sewer be most carefully ventilated, are constantly
apt (especially when the internal air of the dwelling
is rarified by warmth) to pour poisonous gases into the house.
In many cases this happens from carelessness in trapping,
or by leaving traps to drains open, and, aided by the neglect
to ventilate houses at night, is doubtless a frequent source of
illness and loss of life.
I have the honour to be, Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
F. EACIIUS WILKINSON, M.D.