View report page

59
Against the probability of this we should have:—
(a) No direct communication between the house and
the drains.
(b) Free ventilation of the sewers and drains (dilution
of the "dose" with sufficient air so as to possibly
render it ineffective).
(c) All sewer air taken above the level of the eaves of
the houses.
(d) Rapid transmission of sewage through the house
drains and sewers.
Any objections to such an arrangement on the ground
that it would be the means of transmitting disease from one
part of the district to another are equally applicable to that
of placing the sewer ventilators up the side of the houses—
which is now universally recommended where the intercepting
trap is in use—the only difference being that the W.C. may
communicate with the house drain ventilator.
The matter resolves itself, therefore, into the qusstion, is
it necessary to supply an intercepting trap and an extra
ventilating shaft in connection with each house because,
possibly, the W.C. connection or trap may at some time
become defective and sewer air may by this means find its way
into the house instead of up the unobstructed pipe.
Under such favourable conditions as before mentioned it is
the opinion of your Medical Officer that if the intercepting
trap is abolished there will be no greater risk to public health
than exists under the present arrangements and consequently
in laying out a new district such a plan might be adopted.
As regards the Borough of Richmond it is not to be
recommended for reasons embodied in this Report.