Report of the Health of London Association on the sanitary condition of the metropolis; : being a digest of the information contained in the replies returned to three thousand lists of queries, which were circulated amongst clergymen, medical men, solicitors, surveyors, architects, engineers, parochial officers, and the public.

  • Health of Towns Association (London, England)
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of the Health of London Association on the sanitary condition of the metropolis; : being a digest of the information contained in the replies returned to three thousand lists of queries, which were circulated amongst clergymen, medical men, solicitors, surveyors, architects, engineers, parochial officers, and the public. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    m With two exceptions all agree in the practicability of the plan referred to. There is some doubt, however, entertained, as to whe¬ ther all existing houses could be so improved. Most of the houses in some neighbourhoods are so old and dilapidated, and there is such a want of room in them, that a water- closet could not be introduced into them. It is likewise stated that some of the houses of the poor have no back¬ doors, and the courts are so narrow that increase of privies in front would be an increase of nuisance. One of the two respondents, who doubts the practica¬ bility of the introduction of water-closets, does so on account of the destructive character of the inmates, and on account of the children being left at home to do any mis¬ chief, while the mother is out at work. The other doubts whether a water-closet could be constructed so simple in its action that it would answer the purpose, seeing that there are so many apathetic poor, who would not trouble themselves to get rid of a nuisance, even at the slight trouble of turning a tap. With regard to the second part of the inquiry, all agree that there can be no doubt that when a plan for the intro¬ duction of water-closets shall have been adopted and exe¬ cuted, great moral good and physical advantage will be derived. CABINETS D’AISANCE, OR W ATER CLOSETS AND URINALS. ■ [21.] Do not the public suffer in their health and comfort, and is not decency outraged, from the want of public water closets and urinals in large cities and towns ? The testimony on this subject is unanimous, and the num¬ ber of those who have felt themselves competent to reply to it is much greater than to any other of the foregoing queries