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fever existed, there were several privies in a very objectionable 
condition. These, combined with an abominable filthy slaughter- 
house adjoining, produced such a smell in that immediate 
neighbourhood, as to repel the greatest case-hardened sanitarian 
that ever lived. There is no doubt that the effluvia from such 
places, in a diluted state, found its way into the houses where the 
fever broke out. At least, upon careful examination, I formed that 
opinion. And thus, also, it has not unfrequently happened that 
households, whilst themselves without sanitary reproach, have 
received the contagion of fever through some filth affecting the 
water-supply which they have in use. Another source of filth is 
often derived from the absence of sewers, where people assume 
that sewers may properly be dispensed with where water-closets 
are not in use ; and that for the mere slopwaters, the open wayside 
gutters, which are meant for rain-water only, will suffice. Thisisa very 
great mistake: because, at its worst, it is a very condensed form of 
sewage, and even at its best is such as cannot, without nuisance, 
be allowed to accumulate by the roadside. Defects in existing 
sewers are not an unproductive source of nuisance. The indispens- 
able conditions of success in a sewer are—first, that the flow of 
sewage to its outfall shall be as perfect as possible, continuous, 
and scouring ; not ponded and leaking, and depositing ; and also 
that the sewer shall have perfect ventilation. Sewers with radically 
-ill-construction, are virtually but cesspools, and should without 
delay be abolished. There is also a very great danger to the 
public health, particularly to the middle classes of society, by the 
recklessness with which house-drains, receiving pipes from water- 
closets, sinks, cisterns, baths, etc., in the interior of houses, and 
often actually in bed-rooms, or the adjoining dressing-rooms, are 
brought in communication with the sewers. Amongst architects 
and builders, there seems to have been very imperfect recognition 
of the danger which this arrangement involves. The intention, 
and where realised, the distinctive merit of a system of water-closets 
is, that in removing excremental matters from a house, it does so 
with promptitude, and in a perfect and complete manmer, not 
having any intervals of delay, nor leaving any residue of filth, nor 
