On the physical causes of the high rate of mortality in Liverpool / [W.H. Duncan].

  • Duncan, W. H. (William Henry), 1805-1863
Date:
1843
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: On the physical causes of the high rate of mortality in Liverpool / [W.H. Duncan]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    14/78 (page 14)
    —and which, from the absence of drains and sewers, was filled with the poisonous fluid in question, and the air of the apartment rendered unfit to breathe. I mention this instance in particular, because it may come more home to the members than others which might be adduced; foi although they may never be called upon themselves to in¬ habit the cellars in question, it is possible they may be called upon to drink the milk or cream which has been stationed there. But, even supposing the Courts to be properly supplied with drains, these would at present be comparatively use¬ less, from the absence of Sewers in the front streets with which they could communicate; for it w ould of course be out of the question to allow7 them to discharge their con¬ tents into the open street. Within the last twelve years much has been done to improve the Sewrerage of the Pa¬ rish, more than £100,000 having been expended under a local act in the formation of sewers; but these have been principally main sewers in the leading streets, and a very small proportion of the bye-streets inhabited by the work¬ ing classes have as yet participated in the benefit of the Act. I know7 not whether it is the intention of the Com¬ missioners to extend their patronage to these streets, nor indeed whether they have the power to do so ; although, from the fact of some of them being sewered, I infer that the legal powder, at all events, is not wanting to sewer the whole. It can be no matter of doubt that the power ought to exist somewhere, and that it should be exercised as speedily as possible. It is far from my wish to cast any reflections on the Commissioners of Sewers, who, I am sure, have endeavoured to carry out the provisions of the Act in the w ay which they deemed most beneficial to the town. In my entire ignorance of their powers, their means, and their plans, it would not become me to express any doubt as to the wisdom of w hat has been already exe¬ cuted under their direction. No doubt, main sewers must be laid down before branches can be formed ; and it can