Report on the drainage of Goulston Street and neighbourhood, Whitechapel, / by Mr John Phillips, Chief Surveyor, and Mr Edward Gotto, Assistant Surveyor. 15th June, 1849.

London (England). Metropolitan Commission of Sewers.

Date:: [1849]

Credit: Report on the drainage of Goulston Street and neighbourhood, Whitechapel, / by Mr John Phillips, Chief Surveyor, and Mr Edward Gotto, Assistant Surveyor. 15th June, 1849. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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$The average rated value is 12/. per house per annum. There are Present condi tion of the houses. Necessaries and cesspools. Cases of cholera. 44 houses rated from . . ^3 to <£4 per ann 92 ditto 5 to 6 „ 54 ditto 7 to 8 „ 47 ditto 10 to 12 „ 91 ditto 14 to 20 „ 18 ditto 20 to 30 „ 56 houses and premises above £30 And the rated value of the whole of the property is biVl2L per annum. The foregoing data show that this place may rank amongst the very poorest in the metropolis. The houses are generally dirty, and occupied by persons of the lowest class; the lower floors are inundated with filth and foul water. Very many of the houses have neither yards, privies, sinks, nor other convenience, and no sort of provision for drainage and ventilation. ; The courts and alleys generally have not more than one common privy, and the sur¬ face water either runs into them or stands in stagnant pools, with, in many places, heaps of animal and vegetable matter. ' Where there are privies the cesspools overflow, and are in the most offensive and ] filthy condition. 1 On these seven acres there are about 200 of such cesspools, exposing an evaporating f surface of about 25,000 square feet, and containing about 150,000 cubic feet, or 5,555i | cubic yards of night soil. k From the very crowded character of the place, it is apparent that these cesspools, | many of which are common to several houses, are filled in a very short time, and as fre- ^ quently require the expensive and disgusting expedient of emptying. \ But in many cases, indeed we may say most, several days before this operation^ is performed, they are allowed to overflow the seats, floors, and yards, so as to^ be unapproachable, and consequently the inhabitants are compelled to cast the filth 1 from a distance into them. There are several privies within the houses, which, having no drain, are far worse than' those outside, and the foul smell ascends through the whole house, penetrating into.^ every crowded room, and is perceptible to passers-by. The effect upon the consti- ■ tution of the inmates is evidently indicated in their countenances, and renders j them susceptible of those fearful diseases which are accustomed to attach themselves' to such spots. Aware that cholera has in many places recently reappeared within the last few days, and that several malignant cases have occurred in this place, we deem it our duty - to urge upon the Commissioners the importance and necessity of enforcing sanitary- regulations without delay.$