London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Lewisham 1875

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Lewisham]

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25
and closets, as its general use would prevent putrefactive
decomposition, and render the atmosphere of drains and
sewers much more wholesome.
1874.— I he ventilation of sewers is of great importance,
as, from the general construction of house drains, sinks, and
waste pipes, if these ventilators did not exist, sewer air would
necessarily be forced into dwelling houses. If, however, this
is important as regards sewers, it is of equal importance as
regards cesspools, and no householder should allow an unventilated
cesspool to remain upon his premises.
The best method of ventilating house drains, and the
one which this Board has adopted and ordered to be applied
to new houses in the district, is to have the drains ventilated
by a pipe carried up a sufficient distance above the roof, and
out of the reach of windows, into which all water closets
should open. This pipe should be bent at the top, or provided
with a Banner cowl, to prevent accidental stoppage by
birds, &c.
The pipes from sinks, overflow pipes from cisterns, the
pipes from baths and lavatories should never enter the drain.
They should terminate in the open air, and discharge their
contents into a trapped gully hole outside the house.
The discharge of a small quantity of carbolic acid from
every house would prevent putrefactivo fermentation in
sewers, and further prevent nuisances dangerous to health.
Cooking Tuition.
1874.—A large quantity of nutritious provision is annually
wasted amongst all classes in this country by careless
and wasteful manipulation in the process of cooking, and by
the rejection of articles of food which, if properly used,
might afford nourishment in the form of soups or otherwise.
The cost of meat supply is rendered greater to all classes
by the purchase of what are called prime joints, whilst other
parts of the same animal, which are not known to most
householders by name, are termed inferior, but would afford