Report of a committee on a plan for cleansing the drains of Black Town.

Date:
1856
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report of a committee on a plan for cleansing the drains of Black Town. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    64/105 (page 56)
    50 FROM THE SUUGEON OP THE 1ST DISTRICT TO THE APPENDIX P, Madras, 19^7* November 1852. FROM ALEX. HUNTER, ESQ., M. D., SURGEON, 1st DISTRICT, TO T. KEY, ESQ., SUPERINTENDING SURGEON, PRESIDENCY. Sir,—In reply to your letter No. 441, dated 25th October 1852, enclosing a letter from the Secretary to the Military Board, regarding some contemplated improvements in the Drainage and Sanitary condition of the town of Madras, I introduction, have the honor to inform you that I have been able to collect some important information, regarding the condition of the town, which I shall attempt to arrange in order for the information of the Military Board under the heads of— Heads of Re- 1. NUISANCES. 2. Defects ik the Drainage, Sewerage, and supply op good water, and 3. Sanitary condition op the town. 1. NUISANCES.—Under this head may be classed the stagnant ditch, running along the open plain from a little in front of the Sailors' Home to the bridge near the General Hos- pital. The Cooum river and commencement of the canal, the fort ditch at some seasons of the year also become very offensive. There is a large sheet of shallow stagnant water about the middle of Popham's Broadway on the east side, another behind some huts on the opposite side of this road, a third in David- son's street, a fourth in a cocoanut tope, beside the Female Or- phan Asylum, and immediately opposite this institution is a small tank usually in a filthy state. In addition to these large collections of stagnant water, there are numerous localities where water lodges for some time after showers of rain. Amongst the nuisances may also be classed the banks of the Cooum river, the open country round the town, the privy drain from the House of Correction, opening out near the Monegar Choultry, and the sandy beach at Royapooram, all of which are used as open privies, or places of public resort which are never cleaned. There are also dung heaps and collections of rubbish in several dilapidated or deserted corners, and as soon as a house port. Nuisances- Stagnant water. Dirty tanks. Open privies. Dung-heaps