DEFECTIVE SANITARY ARRANGEMENTS.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3611, 7 February 1883, Page 4

DEFECTIVE SANITARY ARRANGEMENTS.

The following is a leading article in a recent number of the Lancet (25th November, ISS2) : — "Among the subjects which have boon brought prominently to public notice Avithin the last fcAV years, "thero is perhaps none more deserving attention than the influence of houses in an insanitary condition upon the health of tho inmates ; and this injurious influence is not to be observed only in the ennvded, ill-constructed dAvellings inhabited by tho poorer classes, or even by those Avho have the moans of living comfortably and under conditions which might be presumed to ensure health, but it is found in active operation in the mansions of the highest and most Avealthy. Of this the fatal illness of the Prince Consort, and the long and severe attack of typhoid fever from Avhich the Prince of AY ales suffered, arc notable public- instances. But the leading members of the medical profession kuoAV too well hoAVofton serious diseases from defective sanitary arrangements occur in tho families of persons occupying splendid mansions in the AYest-end of"London. The defects are sometimes the result of gross aud culpable neglect on the part of the builders or their clerks of works, in such cases, for example, as the omission to open the house drains into the sewer or to trap the drains; or nlloAving the soil pipes to lie made Avith slip joints instead of being soldered ; in other instances, they aro the result of ignorance on the part of persons employed, Avho arc not avail _ of the necessity for careful levelling of the drains, aud cutting oil all_ communications between them and the cisterns and sinks. But householders aro exposed to these serious risks, not only from defective original construction, but also from the consequences of wear aud tear, of accidental damage, and of the destruction caused_ byrats. "" It becomes, therefore, a very serious question for pater-familias, Avhen he is changing his residence-, how to Avcigh the probabilities of it proving a healthy one, and after ho has occupied it hoiv he may a_i ire himself of the continuance of this satisfactory condition. To send for n builder or a surveyor to inspect the proposed residence by no means affords n guarantee that the desired object Avill bo attained, for, imfortmiately, there is still a largo proportion of these classes who arc ignorant of the principles of sanitary science, aud who, Avhilc they can judge satisfactorily of the condition of the building as regards brick and mortar and timber, the soundness of tho Avails, floor, or roof, are yet unable to give a correct opinion upon its health requirements. To meet this difficulty, within the last two years several associations, aud limited companies have been formed Avith tho object of providing for the inspection and supervision of tho dwelling-house.'- of the members and subscribers by a competent staff of avoll qualified sanitary officers, surveyors, and engineers. Three such associations haA _ been organised in London, and several of the provinces. Subscribers may havo their houses carefully and skilfully inspected, the defects in the sanitary condition pointed out, and the necessary alterations and improvements suggested. Those, if adopted, maybe carried out under the superintendence of the Company's officer, in accordance with an estimate given along Avith the report. Members are also entitled, so long as they continue thoir subscription to have their premises inspected annually, Avith a a_cav to ascertain that they continue in a satisfactory condition. Tho advantages arising from such an arrangement are too obvious to require comment. Tho expense incurred Avill probably be far more than compensated by the exemption from preventable disease, and the satisfactory feeling that CA'ery precaution has boon taken to preserve the health of the inmates. AYe believe there are very foAV houses in London of Avhich the sauitary coudition could not be improved and does not require careful supervision, and Aye therefore strongly recommend the subject to the serious consideration of all heads of families.

" The injurious effects upon health arising from the A.ry general neglect of even the most obA-ious sanitary precautions arctoo common, and far too serious to bo overlooked, and we trust the day is not far distant Avlien tiie preservation of the members of a family from preventable causes of disease Avill receiVo as much attention and care as the provision of the more obious. necessaries of life."