TOWN SANITATION. 705 
3.—OBVIOUS DEFECTS. 
In some towns, as Clare and the Burra, water-supplies for 
domestic purposes are, in a number of instances, taken from wells 
exposed to contamination. Cesspits of old standing, badly con- 
structed originally, and permitting soakage, have been found in 
close proximity to these wells. It is needless to say that the 
contiguity of cesspits and wells under any circumstances is 
extremely dangerous, and where, as in every instance in these 
towns, supplies can be secured by the conservation of roof-water, 
the practice of drawing water from such suspected wells is simply 
criminal. 
In the similar fact of preserving the air that is breathed from 
pollution, we see the serious outrage that is committed against 
the public health, in the habit of running filthy water into the 
soil or throwing it persistently upon the surface. It is a matter 
of regret that this practice should prevail so largely, and be over- 
looked by all sanitary local bodies. Numerous cases of enteric 
fever—the scourge of Australia—intestinal inflammation and 
diptheria are undoubtedly traceable to this source. In this con- 
nection the reflection thrusts itself upon us, that a critical 
examination of the towns of South Australia reveals the fact that 
the local authorities have yet much to learn and more to 
accomplish in the direction of sanitation. Tree-planting, it is 
true, modifies the insalubrity arising from this cause, but the fact 
is indisputable that no real protection exists against some of the 
most fatal and severe diseases that attack both old and young, 
but especially the young, apart from a clean and wholesome soil. 
In this connection another most subtle conspirator against the 
public weal is the cesspit. Sanitary regulations may be all that 
are desirable, but where cesspits are used, through invisible rents, 
decay of structure and neglect, the soil may every day be 
becoming more impregnated with filth. The only safeguard, 
where the system cannot be supplemented by a better, is to place 
the entire management, control and inspection in the hands of 
the loca] authority. This is the position taken by an independent 
authority where the water carriage system exists, and no reason 
is at hand to show why the same authoritative control should 
not extend to any other system. To leave to the unquickened 
mind and biassed judgment of the ordinary householder the 
management of so important a branch of public hygiene is simply, 
from his point of view, to put within his reach the opportunity 
of saving himself from a rate, which he would otherwise have to 
pay, for he allows his cesspit to go uncleaned for an indefinite 
period ; and, further, it is to permit failure to step in where 
success is imperative. Small cesspits soundly constructed and 
maintained, frequent cleansing and disinfection, a proper dis- 
position of the excreta, and all carried into effect by the local 
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