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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    dent to, and preparative for efforts towards their moral and social improvement. Filthy skins are always accompanied by ragged clothing, and general want of appreciation of outward decencies, and the men who disregard these will always rather resort to the gin-shop than to the church.” [50.] Should it not be an object of the Legislature to encourage the spirit of commercial enter¬ prise in the execution of the measures for sanitary improvements ? [51.] If the expense for sanitary improvements should be charged upon properties, and be distributed over a term of years, co-equal with the probable duration of the works ; and if a special rate of small amount be levied upon the occupiers until the capital and interest shall have been repaid—do you think the burden would be felt by the people ? Sanitary measures, in order to be effectual, must be carried out on a large scale ; and, unless the Legislature give encouragement to public bodies to carry out efficient measures for sanitary improvements, they will never be effectually promoted, for it is impossible for private con¬ tractors to undertake very extensive works. The powers vested in the various existing commissions are wholly inade¬ quate for the purpose of promoting the public health. The Legislature should encourage sanitary improvements in every possible way, either by giving more power to the existing boards, controlled by central boards, or by creating new powers. The people are now determined to endeavour to improve the health of the working classes in populous districts at almost any present cost, for they are persuaded that the burden, if any, will scarcely be felt, and that ultimately there will be a great saving. The primary object of the present sanitary movement is, “to substitute enlightened self-interest for ignorant selfishness.” The enor¬ mous expense which is entailed upon the rate-payers in many parishes in consequence of the frequent attacks of ill¬ ness to which the poor are subjected, and the immense number of widows and orphans now dependent upon the poor-rates and the contributions of the humane and chari¬ table, is an expense far greater than would be incurred by