Drainage for Melbourne. 49 



ment of a circle. The house drains were sometimes square, 

 of bricks laid dry ; sometimes of like shape, but formed of 

 flat stones at top and bottom, and rough stonework at the 

 sides ; sometimes with straight sides and top, but triangular 

 bottom ; sometimes of brick, circular in shape, but roughly 

 and carelessly formed. The fault incidental to all these last 

 was, that not only were they larger than their purpose 

 required, but that their size, by diminishing the force of the 

 current, further lessened by the friction presented by their 

 rude surfaces, diminished their utility. With such rough 

 surfaces, the diameter could scarcely be reduced with safety, 

 because of the readiness with which they then choked ; and. 

 hence investigations were made as to the possibility of pro- 

 curing more available channels less in size and smoother in 

 their bore. But, before this was done, a series of investiga- 

 tions were made as to the condition of many of the leading 

 lines of sewer, and some curious results, shown in the Reports 

 of the London Board of Health, were arrived at. 

 Of these, allow me to enumerate the following : — 

 In the first instance it was discovered that very many of 

 the existing sewers were generally, to an extent varying from 

 one-half to three-fourths of their superficial area, filled with 

 the deposit arising from the inefficient flow of the sewage in 

 its passage through. The space left was ample for carrying 

 away the ordinary drainage, but on the occurrence of heavy 

 storms, stoppages and injury to the sewers took place. Hence, 

 the conclusion that logically followed was that smaller drains 

 would do if the escape of storm water was provided for on the 

 surface. The baneful effect of these foetid accumulations on 

 the health of the districts where they prevailed, was the prin- 

 cipal cause of these inquiries.* 



Proceeding further in these inquiries, it was found that 



* For instance : — "A severe epidemic fever had burst out in the houses 

 connected with the cloisters at Westminster. Thirty scholars and inmates 

 had been attacked, of whom several died. The houses had nearly all cess- 

 pools, and the inmates, during the variations of the weather, were beset 

 with foul smells. On examination it was found that beneath the houses in 

 which the fever raged there was a network of cesspools, old drains and 

 sewers. From beneath fifteen houses, which were the chief seats of fever, 

 one hundred and fifty loads of ordure' were taken ; and from drains and 

 cesspools connected with the houses, upwards of four hundred loads were taken. 

 * * * The cesspool matter in one private sewer was nine feet deep. * * * These 

 cesspools and old drains were all filled up, and an entire system of tubular 

 house drains with water closets substituted." As a matter of course the 

 health of the district- was immediately improved, and the average of deaths 

 fell from 30 to 17 in the 1000 per annum. 



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