THE THAMES DANGEROUS TO HEALTH.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 11057, 19 September 1903, Page 3

THE THAMES DANGEROUS TO HEALTH.

During the month of June, 1858, the putrid state of the Thames gave rise to grave apprehensions as to the public health, and was the subject of many heated discussions in Parliament. From June 28 to July 2 the evil waa at its height, and the once "sweet and silvery Thanics" was converted into what wias to all'intonts and purposes the main sewer of the Metropolis. One of the newspapers, in discussing the question, referred to it as a "pestilential ditch, to be scrupulously avoided by all not blessed with a strong stomach." The causes which in the main contributed to tlie bringing about of this lamentable -state of affairs were, firstly, the abnormal heat during the June of 1838, and, secondly the lack of rain, which seriously diminished the volume of water carried down to the sea] The June of 1858 waß one of the hottost ever known, the mean high temperature being 75deg. smin. — Bdeg. 6min. above the average — and the mean low night temperature 53deg. 9min.^-4deg. above the average. The absorption of the higher waters of the river by the waterworks so reduced the flpw of water that the refuse discharged into the stream by countless sewers oscillated to and fro between Greenwich and Putney. The great heat raised the temperature of the water so much that rapid decomposition 'set in, and soon the noxious effluvium rising from' the putrid matter became absolutely unbearable. Ac may be readily imagined, tKe "state of the Thames" played a prominent part in the politics of the hour. Committees of the Honse of Commons were unable to sit in rooms overlooking tho river, officers of both Houses were laid ; upwith sickness, and the attendance of members became remarKubly sliick — partly through illness, but mostly through alarm. The aspect of the river was most singular— the water was a deep brackish grcan, and "looked terrible." This oiainous appearance was the result of the chemical combination of sulphuretted hydrogen with the iron Contained in tho clay in suspension in the water, and most opportunely prevented the most fatal gases passing into the ' atmosphere. Temporary measures were tried; thousands of tons of lime were thrown into Jhe stream', and other expedients resorted to, with but little effect. It was evident that some large and general plan must be adopted whereby the London sewage might be speedily got rid of, for a similar condition of things might recur without ■ those - counteracting influences which rendered the present visitation comparatively harmless. The "state of the Thames'" < yave a sensible impulse to the great engineering schemesforthe drinthe great engineering schemes for the drainage of the Metropolis, so long under consideration. Early in June & succession of hean-y rains relieved the Londoners of their foul and dangeifous incubus, and the putrid waters were swept away into the North Sea by the swollen stream, - <