DEEP DRAINAGE SYSTEM OF ADELAIDE. 



551 



At the end of 1882 the hydraulic engineer published in a 

 pamphlet form the details of the system, with some excellent 

 regulations. lunnediately an important public discussion arose, 

 particularly on the question of the probable inefficiency of the 

 ventilation of the sewers, in which the author took an active part.* 

 It is not needful to emphasize the importance of ventilation. In 

 fact the hydraulic engineer himself, in the pamplilet referred to, 

 says there is no means of preventing sewers becoming sources of 

 imminent danger to the public health except by " ample ventila- 

 tion." It was nmch doubted if such ample ventilation had been 

 secured for our system. Many people, in 1883, went so far as to 

 declare that in this new country, a huge blunder had been com- 

 mitted. The author constructed the following table, from which 

 important conclusions were drawn : — 



TEMPERATURE AND VENTILATION TABLE. 



The following were the conclusions deduced from this table : — 



I. No ventilation existed in the sewers during the day, except 

 slightly in the months of May, June, July and August. 



II. The ventilation, such as it was, occurred during the night. 



III. The ventilation was so imperfect, that sewer air, highly 

 injurious to human health, was delivered at the street level 

 or respiratory stratum of the atmosphere. 



♦"The Sanitary Aspects of the Deep Drainage System of Adelaide," by Dr. Allan 

 Campbell, M.L.C, Register, Februarj', 1883, 



