[ 354 J 



LXVI. Official Documents respecting the Health of tlie Workmen 

 emplot/ed in Cleansing the Public Servers of Westminster, as 

 affected or not by their Emploijment, and also during the 

 existence of Malignaiit Cholera in the Metropolis; together 

 -iOith authenticated Statements relative to the Health of other 

 Workmen exposed 'to putrid Effiiivia. Communicated in a 

 Letter from Sir Anthony Caklisle, F.R.S. Sfc. S^-c. 



To the Editors of the Philosophical Magazine and Journal. 

 Gentlemen, 

 nPHE accomjDanying documents have been for some time in 

 -*• my possession, but I deemed it proper to reserve them 

 from public notice until the heated contentions about Indian 

 cholera were abated. In the capacity of a Commissioner of 

 Sewers for Westminster, I requested authenticated informa- 

 tion respecting the effects of putrid substances on the health 

 of persons employed for the longest time under the orders of 

 the Commissioners ; and especially whether they were parti- 

 cularly affected by putrid fevers or by bowel complaints. 

 The tabulated report now submitted for publication is left to 

 be used at my discretion ; and the facts appearing in many in- 

 stances contrary to general opinion, yet unquestionably accu- 

 rate, I think them well deserving the notice of medical philo- 

 sophers, and of other scientific men. 



A similar report was obtained by Commissioners appointed 

 by the Council of Health at Paris, in 1826, to inquire into the 

 effects of putrescence in certain French manufactures of cat- 

 gut and other strings made from animal intestines, with a 

 view to ascertain the antiseptic influence of chlorides. The 

 several results, published by order of the French Commis- 

 sioners, have been translated and published, with many addi- 

 tions, by M. Labarraque and the translator, in 1827, under 

 the title of an Essay on the Use of the Chlorurets of Soda and 

 Lime, &c. &c. by Thomas Alccck, Surgeon. Printed for Bur- 

 gess and Hill. 



Since the report above mentioned was received, I have 

 thought it needful to make inquiries also respecting the effects 

 of the late prevailing malignant cholera among the labourers 

 in the sewers of Westminster ; and I now send you the official 

 returns, which appear to me of much public importance. 



I cannot imagine that any person will regard the publica- 

 tion of these facts, so impartial and genuine, as an encourage- 

 ment of filthiness ; since they are entirely and specially di- 

 rected to discover whether any connection subsists between 

 the origin or propagation of malignant cholera, and the most 

 offensive and varied kinds ol putrid vapours. 



I am, Gentlemen, your obliged Servant, 

 Langhani PIhlc, Oct. 6, W6Z. AnthonY CaULISLE. 



