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1162 THE LEADER. [Saturday - ¦¦ ¦ _ ¦ I!...
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JOURNAL Ol? It/YILWAY A<XTII>KNTS. Hatit...
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Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software. The text has not been manually corrected and should not be relied on to be an accurate representation of the item.
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Our Sanitary Condition The Mortality Of ...
contributed 140 ; choleraic affections ( including the epidemic of 1 S 49 ) , 196 ; scarlet fever , 76 ; smallpox , 40 ; erysipelas , 30 ; the acute , nervous , and mucous diseases of children , 572 ; then measles , hooping cough , and croup , 82 ; so that diseases of infancy alone had yielded an average of . 1242 deaths , or nearly twofifths of the ' entire , mortality . It was a curious fact that while in the healthier districts the ¦ winter was the most fatal time of the year , in consequence of the
ravages which inclement weather made upon the aged and feeble , those ravages were completely overmastered in the unhealthiest districts , and the rate of mortality was highest in summer . The unfavourable effects of civilized and City life upon the health was shown by the circumstance that not one-eighth of the 15 , 597 persons who had died w ithin the jurisdiction o the commissioners during the last five years , had reached the threescore years and ten which are allotted to
man . Passing from statistics to the prospects of the City during- the apprehended visitation of cholera , Mr . Simon congratulates the commissioners on the fact that there had been a diminution of mortality to the extent of four per cent , since the sanitary acts of the City had come into operation ; and he trusted that the abolition of Smithfield would lead to still more favourable results . Yet their anticipations of the future were pregnant with gloom . The cholera was stealing upon the metropolis in precisely the same manner as it had done upon both its former visitations , and they had only too much reason to dread the results that would follow the approach of
summer . With respect of the question of low levels , it must not be supposed that that was the only condition predisposing a locality to the ravages of the epidemic . The sub-district of St . Peter ' s , Hammersmith , averaged only 4 feet above the high water level , and that of St . Olave , Southwa , rk , was ten feet higher . Yet the cholera mortality in the former had been only eighteen in the thousand , whereas that of the latter had risen to 196 . So also within their own jurisdiction . Side by side along -the river lay four of their sub-districts ; three at the elevation of 21 feefc , one at the elevation of 24 feet . The cholera mortality , if simply proportioned
to levels , should have been nearly the same for these four sub-districts , and somewhat less in the last one than in the first three . But the contrary was the fact ; for in two of these sub-districts the cholera mortality for equal numbers of population was 4 £ - times as great as in the other two , where , however , to lowness of situation were added density of population and improper or deficient drainage , the cholera made its home . Their present system of tidal drainage was exceedingly prejudicial . At low water the filth was allowed to trickle over broad belts of spongy bank , exhaling poison ; and at high water it was driven back into the sewers to soak into the surrounding brickwork and earth , and to send forth pestilential effluvia through every gully hole .
Persons who lived on the higher levels might care nothing for tin ' s , but the prevalence of an infantile sickness of unusual malignity , or a doctor ' s injunction to seek a change of air , that they , too , were subject to the partial workings of that gigantic poison bed which they had contributed to maintain . Lowness of situation , overcrowding , and bad drainage , then , were the chief conditions which rendered a locality obnoxious by the inroads of the pestilence ; but there wore , of course , other causes that would operate to an important extent in the same manner . Amongst those wore , of cour . se want of proper ventilation , and inefficient water supply , personal uncloanlinon . s , an habitually defective diet , arid tlio like .
" Tho specific migrating power called cholera , has tho faculty of infecting districts in a manner detrimental to life only when their atmosphere is fraught with certain product h . susceptible ) under its influence of undergoing 1 poisonous transformation . These products , it is true , aril but , imperfectly known to us . Under tho vague name ol ' putrefaction we include all Uio . su thousandfold possibilities of now ( 'onil ) iiinlion to which organic liiailerH are exposed in their gradual declension from life . Tho birt h of one ( inch combination rather than another is tho postulate for u icirlioulur epidemic poison .
" Whether the ferment which induces Hun particular change in certain elements of our atmosphere may ever be some accident of local origin , or must , always hu the creeping infection fro hi similar atmospheres elsewhere . similarly olloeled-- whether tho lirsl impulse , here or there , be given by thin agency or by that- by bent , by miignelisin , by planets , or meteorsinioh questions nro widely irrelevant to the purpose for which I have the honour of addressing you . The one great pathological fact which I have sough ? to bring into prominence for your knowledge und application , is thin that tho epidemic , prevalence of cholera does not arise in Home new cloud of venom , lloiitintr above roach and control li
, higover . successive lands , and ruining down upon them without , dilioroneo its prepared distillation of ( loath ; but that ,, no fur . as scientific analysis can decide , it depends on one o isional phase of nn influence which is always about us on one- « -hungo of materials , which in their other ch . Mii / . r-o . s / rive rise to " " other ills : that these mutei-inls , no perilously prone to explode into one or other breath of epidemic pestilence , are the ninny exhalations of animal iiiieleanncKs which infect , in varying proportion , tho entire area of our inotropolin ; and ( hut , from the nature of the ease , it must remain optional wilh lho :, o who witncHS the dreadful infliction whether they will indo . lently acquiesce m their coijfinued and increuHJnV liabilities
to a degrading calamity , or w ill employ the requisite skill , science , and energy to remove from beibre their thresholds these filthy sources of misfortune . " The precautionary measures recommended by Mr . Simon were capa . ble of being summed up in a single word—cleanliness , in the fullest extent of the term . The state of the docks , and particularly that of Whitefriars , would become of the greatest importance ; and the condition of all the sewers should be certified to the commissioners—the grand test of successful sewerage lying in the inodorous discharge of its functions . The City was already well paved , but they should take care that the scavengers and dustmen carefully
performed their functions . Great vigilance should be exercised as to the condition of slaughterhouses and other similar places ; and no disturbance of the earth should be . allowed to take place that could possibly be avoided . He deeply regretted that they could not qompel a continuous supply of water , but at least there should be a daily filling of the cisternage , and Sunday should form no exception to the rule . It would surely be no heathen ' s part to urge that the Christian ' s sabbath suffered more desecration from the filth and preventible unwholesomeness of many thousand households than in the honest industry of a dozen turncocks . He was
glad to learn from the engineer of the New liiver Company that they expected very shortly to be able to furnish the City with a largely increased and practically exhaustless supply . The subject of the City jumps was an important one ; for the quality of the water depended upon the state of the gathe ' ringgrounds of each , and they were for the most part saturated with impurities . It might , however , be to some extent improved by the use of filters composed of animal charcoal . The City had already established a system of inspection , and within the last year not fewer than 3147 visitations had been made , and 9 S 3 orders for the abatement of nuisances had been
obtained . A recent increase of the staff from four to six would of course materially add to its efficiency ; and he calculated that the inspectors would b e able to visit in each of the five more important districts from 100 tol 20 houses , besides attending to their other duties . He recommended that printed notices should , during the prevalence of the epidemic , be posted in every back street , court , and alley , and renewed every month , advising the careful maintenance of cleanliness , and inviting complaints as to nuisances . He also suggested that circulars be sent to the clergy , the heads of
visiting societies , and the like , desiring them to communicate with the offi cers of the commissioners on any local unclea nliness which might come to their knowledge . Mr . Simon , ter strongly advising all persons to quit the tainted districts—a course of proceeding that might have a very beneficial effect in producing reform , proceeded to give a quantity of advice as to the course to be adopted by individuals during the epidemic . He strongly advised each person , on tho appearance of the premoni' ory symptoms , to seek the advice of their own medical attendants , in preference to relying on any published formula . His advice with
respect to avoiding excess , damp and cold , over fa tigue , and the like , was not dissimilar to that already given to tho public ; and he at length concluded by expressing the necessity of a complete and comprehensive reform extending to the whole metropolis . "If the possible mischief to bo wrought by epidemic cholera lay in somo fixed inflexible fate , whatever opinion I might hold on tho subject of its return , silence would be bettor than speech ; and I would gladly refrain from vexing the public car by gloomy forebodings of nn inevitable future .
" But from this supposition tho ease , differs diametrically , and f ho pooplo of England arc not like timid cattle , capable only when blindfold of confronting danger . Jt belongs to their race , it belongs to their dignity of manhood , to tako deliberate cognizance of their foes , and not lightly to code the victory . A people that has fought the greatest battles , not of arms alone , but of genius and skilful toil , in little likely to be wared at tho necessity of liieetlng largo dangers by the appropriate devices of science . A people that has inaugurated railways , that has spanned tho Menai Straits , and reared the Crystal . Palace , can hardly icMi * flu * f ! iilpi < i \ i < iu / t f \ t' ilixt . ' iti .... ,... ; i * ......, " i .. ¦ /•_ i * i icar the enler j > riso of draining poison from ilinfected
. s ' (> ) vns »¦ l > (> ' > p l « that , has freed its foreign . slaves at , twenty millions ransom will uevr let , its home population perish or cheapness' sake in tin ; ignominious ferment of their tilth ; therefore , gentlemen , advisedly , I ulute the danger n . s it seeniH to me . Knghiiid bus again become subject ( o " |> ague , Dm recurrence of which , or tho duration , or the malignity , mi human doing can predict . Hut if I Mute the danger , so likewise , lo the best of my belief , I slate the remedy and defence . CoIo . shhI statistics concur with eireinn-Htnntial inquiry to refer thin disease , in common with many others that scour ^ . <„„ . population , distinctly and infallibly ( o the workin g of local cause * susceptible of removal of f'H . UMfVS WllN'll f miikli ' ,, t .. _! l i j mi muses which devolve legislature to The
on our remove . exemption wo nook in Worth a heavy purchase . My thought *) turn involuntarily to the epidemic ' s of former centuries to t hen- iroquent , returns mid immense fatality . I reflect on ( lie plague , and how it influenced the average death-rate of liOiKlou ; how ,.,. ir , i ) . J , i | , doubled it ; in 1 «(> : » , trebled it ; in U > tii > , quadrupled if ; and \ mw ( aft era lens considerable visitation in HKMS ) i |; actually multiplied the mortality . sevenfold in tho tremendous epidemic of '( if .. The ravages of that pestilence are bent appreciated in the fact , that wo esteem the <» real 1 < ire < i | London ,,, el . eap equivalent for their arrest , looking to that eventful eonfhiprafion of the metropolis with gratitude rather than horror , because of the mightier ovila that wcro extinguished with ity flumes , To
so frightful a development as this ,. cholera bv mm , A grees has not obtained ; but , ignorant as we are of itfwl and resources , we dare not surmise , at any renewed ir , t sion , what , amount of severity it may have won Tn , « f " simple fact that op country has again become s ' ecto pestilential epidemics , there lies an amount of threat nnl to be measured by those who are . conversant by historv or experience witlr the possible development of such disease Therefore , gentlemen having the deepest assurance thafc these unexplored possibilities of cost may be foreclosed bv appropriate means , I should ill deserve your confidence if I shrank from setting before you , however ungracious the task , my deliberate estimate of the peril . It belongs ' to my local office to tell you of local cures , and this lihave sought to do . I have suggested that by active superintendence of all houses within your jurisdiction there may
be suppressed in detail those several causes of the disease which arise in individual neglect—that by elaborate care as to the cleanliness of pavements , markets , docks and sewers , something may be clone towards the mitigation of more general causes—that by a well organized system of medical visitation very much may be effected towards encountering attacks of tho disease while still amenable to treatment—that these with similar precautions are therefore to be recommended ; and not for a moment would I seem to depreciate such measures , palliative only and partial though they be . By their judicious application from Aldgate to the Temple , life may possibly be saved to
some hundreds — to children that are fondly loved to parents that are the stay of numbers . But against ' full significance of any epidemic , I am bold to tell you that those are but poor substitutes for protection . To render them effectual , even in their narrow sphere of operation , there must be great vigilance and great expenditure—a weary vigilance , a disproportionate expenditure , because chiefly given to defeat in detail what should have been prevented on principle , and be done what may in this palliative spirit , the sources of the disease are substantially unstayed , for the faults to which its metropolitan prevalence is due consist not simply in a number of individual mismanagements , but include a
common and radical mal-construction as their chief . JSTo city , so far as science may be trusted , can deserve immunity from epidemic disease , except by making absolute cleanliness the first law of its existence—such cleanliness I moan , as consists in the perfect adaptation of drainage , water supply , scavenage , and ventilation , to the purposes they should respectively fulfil—such cleanliness as consists in carrying away by " these means , inoffensively , all refuse materials of life—gaseous , solid , or fluid—from the person , the house , the factory , or the thoroughfare , as soon as possible after their formation , and with as near an approach
as their several natures allow , to one continuous current of removal . To realize for London this conception of how a city should cleanse itself may involve , no doubt , the perfection of numberless details ; yet , most of all , it would presuppose a comprehensive organization of plan and method , not alone for that intramural unity of system which is needful for all the works—not least , for those of drainage and water supply—but equally to harmonize those Avorks with other extramural arrangements for utilizing to tho country tho boundless wealth of metropolitan refuse—for distributing- to the uses of agriculture what is then rescuer !
from the character of filth—for requiting to the fields , in gifts for vegetation , what they have rendered to tho town , in food for man . How far the construction of London has proceeded in the recognition of such objects , or how far the advantages of such a plan have been realized , it could only be a mockery to ask . Our metropolis , by successive accretions , has covered mile after mile of land ; each new edition has been made with . scarcely more reference to the legitimate necessities of life than if it bad clustered there by crystallization ; with no scientific forecast to plan the whole , with little but chance and cheapness to shape the purls , our desultory architecture bus eclipsed the conditions of health . Draining uphill or downhill , as the case miifht be , and running their
aqueducts at random from ( . 'balk quarries or river mud , or ponding sewage in their cellars , and tluj ; ix in ^ beside it wutei blocking up the inlets of freshness and equally the outlets of nuisance . — constructing Hewers to struggle with the Thames , now to pollute its ebb , now to be ohsfruclcd by its flow--- ( . he builders of many generations have accumulated sanitary errors in no intricate u . system that their apprehension and their cure seem equally remote . Therefore , by reason of causes ramified through the whole . metropolis , and deep-roofed in its soil , which bind all parts together in one common endurance of their effects—therefore cannot epidemic disease be thoroughly conquered by any exertion or by any amelioration short , of the complete and comprehensive euro . Against tho danger we dread no shelter is lo be found in potty reforms and patchwork
legislation . Not to inspectorships of nuisances , but to the large mind of si ale policy , one must look for a . real emancipation from this chastening plague . A child ' s intellect can appreciate the wild absurdity of . seeking at Peru what bore runs lo waslo beneath our pavement- ¦ of ripening only epidemic disease with what might augment the food of the people of wailing , like our niiccMtor . s , to expiate the neglected divinity of wilier in nomo better purgation by fire . Ifut it needs the grasp of political mastership , not , uninformed by science , to convert to practical application these obvious elements of knowledge torecogn . se u great national object , irrelevant to the interests of party to lift an universal requirement , from the sphere of profc . Mnional jealousies , and to found on immutable principles tho [ iiinilury legislation of a pooplo . "
1162 The Leader. [Saturday - ¦¦ ¦ _ ¦ I!...
1162 THE LEADER . [ Saturday - ¦¦ ¦ _ ¦ I ! 1 V _ ' ^ l-iy ! l "^_'_" - " .. _!!_ "*~' " ' ' " ¦ ' ¦ ¦ ¦ - ¦ ia -y- ¦ ¦¦ ¦¦¦¦¦ ' ¦ ¦¦ , . „ ... — ... ¦ .,,-,. " . ..-..-., » - . . _ . ^^ i > . p . — . _— ..... , . - ¦ - r i i ^ n , . ¦ ' ^^ M ^^ ^^ *" M ^^^^'^^^^^^^^^^*^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^^ ' ^^^^'^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ' ^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ " ¦—— ' ¦ I ' »«^—— ,,. , ' — ;
Journal Ol? It/Yilway A<Xtii>Knts. Hatit...
JOURNAL Ol ? It / YILWAY A < XTII > KNTS . Hatitnlai / , Accident from imperfect solf-acting points at the Palricroft station , on Uie London and Worth Western luulwoy . A train left Mnnchontor early in the morning At , Puti-icrofl , the driver found that Hie points did not . « '» and that he was goin-r inlo the ( Mil ' lon junction ; no y moved towards the up ' line in order that , the pointH »» ' # ' ho luliuofod . At tho moment tho train ivaa acrotio uo
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Citation
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Leader (1850-1860), Dec. 3, 1853, page 10, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse2.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/cld_03121853/page/10/
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