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17
The Ventilation of Sewers is still to a great extent an
unsolved problem; by ventilation is meant a system that
should be at once effective and harmless ; chemistry may
be of assistance, but the main point to be attained, can
only be accomplished by obviating the necessity for
ventilation in itself, as much as possible, by the proper
construction of the House Drains and ensuring their
proper ventilation in Districts newly laid out, or actually
new Streets; this can be done with comparative ease,
but in the olden parts of London, where cesspools have
been superseded by utilizing anything that would pass
muster for a drain, a very great deal remains in a condition
requiring vast improvement; as individual cases
come to light they are dealt with promptly, but no steps
can be taken to improve unless the defects are clearly
known.
There is, unfortunately, nothing to Report with regard
to the increase in the number of Public Conveniences. The
fact of a far greater number being wanted is admitted by
all who are affected by the question. The construction of
a few of an efficient character is of little practical use, a
great number of even indifferent places would be a public
boon, but as this cannot be done in crowded neighbourhoods,
where they are most needed, without causing
private injury, real or imaginary, the matter must be
considered as at present in abeyance, as the character,
appearance or construction are not the real difficulties, the
objection being to such structures at all, whether visible
B