View report page

32
make an approach to anything like
precision. But in stating the immensity
of this influence on the atmosphere
round about, extending
probably as far as Plaistow, with, it
may be in the interspace, from 1 to
200 such ventilators, the emanations
from which in certain conditions
may affect the populations in
the rear and front, not unlikely, by
diffusion, at as great a distance.
These gases, on testing, restored
the blue color of reddened litmus
paper (from ammonia), blackened
lead and silver test papers (from
sulphuretted hydrogen. They were
very nauseating and offensive to the
sense of smell. In favourable weather,
no doubt, no appreciable influence
may be obvious from these
ventilators: in the conditions, as at
the end of June and beginning of
July, 18GG, there will arise peril.
The unfinished low level sewers
gave in at the time their contributions
to the atmospheric poison.
Loud complaints had been made of
the foul effluvia from this sewer
near the Burdett Road. On a
representation, doubtless from disbelief
of the facts, it was totally
denied by the Metropolitan Board
of Works. A survey was then made
by an official, and sewage— stagnant
sewage —3 feet 3 inches in depth,