View report page

19
working causes of contamination. Defective house-drains, the refuse of
foul gases from the sewers through gulleys and drains; the accumulation
of house and other refuse, which is seldom removed fast enough; the
dung of animals; the dust, odours, and gases caused by various trades;
and especially the thick cloud of smoke which lingers over the town, and
is seen for miles around, constitute a mass of impurities against which
it is hard to contend. In certain states of the atmosphere, these
impurities gather, and become concentrated. It is only periodically, by
the operation of rains and winds, that the air becomes cleansed. One
effect of the smoke is the darkening of the atmosphere. It forms a
cloud which almost constantly interrupts much of the sun's rays. The
effect is in two ways detrimental to health. In the first place we have to
breathe air contaminated by solid particles of soot. Secondly, we lose
to a large extent the salutary influences of light. The importance of
light to health is very much overlooked. It is however, as essential to
animal life, as it is to the vegetable kingdom. There are unfortunately
other causes besides the artificial thickening of the atmosphere, which
tend to deprive the dwellers in towns of the natural measure of light.
It is only during a short period of the year, and during a few hours of
the day, that the sun is high enough in the heaven to throw down
light in a direction approaching the perpendicular. And many streets
and courts are so narrow, and the houses so high, that the inhabitants
can enjoy but brief glimpses of sunshine. This is an evil growing upon
us. Whilst houses are allowed to be run up to an indefinite height, no
security has been taken to provide for space in the front, or in the rear.
And the efforts of those who have urged the necessity of providing,
whilst there is yet opportunity, open spaces for playgrounds for children,
and gardens for recreation, have been but feebly seconded by the
Legislature. On the other hand, there is no sacrifice of property or of
individual interest and comfort too great to be opposed successfully to the
demands of a railway company.
The Sickness Returns. —Table III. exhibits the amount of sickness
from various causes, coming under the care of the Poor Law Medical
Officers. These show an aggregate of 415 cases of Small Pox; 54 of
Measles; 128 of Scarlatina; 499 of Diarrhœa; 1159 of Fever, including