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The question of sewer ventilation has been prominently
before you,, and the connection of the interceptor with the
necessity for this ventilation must be apparent, for we are
gradually sealing off all the old outlets of the sewers, while
the ventilators at the surface of the roads must now act as
outlets and inlets, except in the few cases where upcast shafts
are provided. It seems extraordinary that the idea has never
been systematically carried out of rendering the drains under
the houses watertight, doing away with the interceptor and
carrying up a soil-pipe ventilator, which would also be a
sewer ventilator in accordance with the present regulations
governing the provision of soil-pipes, to a sufficient height to
allow the outlet of any foul air that may escape. The
necessity for an interceptor now seems to be such an article of
faith that it is rank heresy to suggest its abolition, we find
consequently that a conference of experienced Surveyors
recommend that a ventilating pipe direct from the sewer
shall be carried from the sewer side of the interceptor up,the
side, or back or front of the house, thus avoiding any interference
with the interceptor, while theoretically securing sewer
ventilation. There would be just as little nuisance if the plan
were tried of putting the soil-pipe in direct communication
with the sewer by a water-tight drain, the soil-pipe to be
carried upwards in the manner as prescribed in the London
County Council By-laws."
A letter was received from the London County Council
calling attention to the fact that children in an infectious state
are allowed to run in the parks, and more especially does this
apply to children in the house other than sufferers. The
following report was adopted by the Public Health Committee : —
Gentlemen, —I cannot agree with the statement that it is
common in Camberwell for children suffering from some form of notifiable
disease to visit the parks, &c., and the reason for such disagreement is
that 82 per cent of cases of scarlet fever and 75 per cent of diphtheria are
removed to hospital. The greater number of those that remain at home
are in the bigger houses, where isolation and supervision can be properly
carried out, and there is no reason to suppose that the patients are
allowed, even for the sake of the remaining persons in the house, to go out
and mix freely with others before they are entirely free from infection.
The penalties for exposing persons in an infectious state are printed on
the form which is left at each house from which a notification of
infectious illness is received.