On the ventilation of public sewers, with special reference to those of Oxford : read at the meeting of the Ashmolean Society, November 28th, 1864 / by G.A. Rowell.

  • Rowell, G. A. (George Augustus), 1804-1892.
Date:
1865
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the ventilation of public sewers, with special reference to those of Oxford : read at the meeting of the Ashmolean Society, November 28th, 1864 / by G.A. Rowell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    where open cesspools are more generally used, and where the pumps and drains are usually exterior to the house— except in places where a fairly assignable cause may be advanced for cholera prevailing. A case of cholera occurred in Long Wall in 1859 ; there was also one in 1832, Of these cases, I know notliing; but as the houses are just without the fortification walls, and near or upon the site of the old city ditch, it is pro- bable that the quality of the water may have been the inductive cause of cholera in these cases. There was a death from cholera in 1854, in a yard in the lower part of the High Street. This yard is near the site of the old East-gate, and from inquiries I made at the time, I understood that the water was so bad, that the woman who died was the only one in the yard who would drink it. The bad water may therefore be assigned as a cause of this case. There were two deaths from cholera in 1854, in a front house at the corner of King Street, and two other cases in that street. There was no case of cholera in this street either in 1832 or 1849, and these cases may have resulted from the wells having been rendered useless, from the cul- vert being laid along the street a short time previously. I have already alluded to the eflU'ects in St. Peter-le-Bailey, from the Avells being drained during the prevalence of cholera in 1849. The cases in this street may therefore be passed over. Ho case of cholera occurred in Alerton Street, Grove Street, Alfred Street, Bear Lane, or Blue Boar Lane: that is, from King Street to Saint Aldate’s. In the High Street there Avas no case in any of the courts, or the street, from the yard already mentioned to Oriel Street, where a case occurred in a corner house. The next case in the High Street Avas at the corner of the Turl; but there was no case in Swan Court, Am- sterdam Court, or Payne’s Yard. There were three deaths from cholera in a yard opposite the Market. It Avas stated at the time that some of the clothing of a deceased cholera patient had been taken into' this yard, and Avashed there; and if so, the introduction of cholera may here be accounted for. There was no other case in the High Street, from the