The evolution of the function of public health administration : as illustrated by the sanitary history of Glasgow in the nineteenth century, and especially since 1854, with an exposition of results / by James B. Russell.

  • Russell, James Burn, 1837-1904.
Date:
1895
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The evolution of the function of public health administration : as illustrated by the sanitary history of Glasgow in the nineteenth century, and especially since 1854, with an exposition of results / by James B. Russell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

    28/174 (page 24)
    Council. We are also told by Mr. Carrick that soon after 1846 the Town Council resolved to set aside the sum of £30,000 for acquiring property in the districts known as the wynds and in the closes abutting on the High Street, the Saltmarket, and in the Gorbals. A large amount of property was thus acquired. i Another note- worthy result of those distressful forties was the Model Lodging Association, got up by large-hearted citizens, which established three large houses, thus anticipating one of the most useful works of the Improvement Trust by which they were ultimately acquired. When we consider the next period, 1855-64, it will be made evident that all this was a mere scratching of the surface, and that not until 20 years later was anything radical and effectual done. It is further evident that not merely was the permanent structure of the city bad, but the daily service required to keep the city wholesome in its life was practically neg- lected—the cleansing, the repairs, the distribution of fresh water, the removal of foul, all the primary duties of civic management were either wholly undone or very imperfectly done. Of sanitation in the modern sense there was none. In the Police Acts passed in 1800, 1807, 1821, 1880, and 1837 there are clauses as to scavenging streets and public places by the authorities, and private closes, &c., by proprietors, but it was not until 1843 that an Inspector of Cleansing was introduced and powers taken to make regulations for watering, sweeping and cleansing closes, thoroughfares and areas, for the purpose of disinfection and otherwise promoting the health of the inhabitants therein, for the cleansing of common stairs by tenants; for regulat- ing the emptying of middens and privies according to their dimensions and the local circumstances as regards tlie health and comfort of the persons in the neighbourhood ; to license Common Lodging-liouses, prevent overcrowding, and secure the reporting of fever by the keepers; for carrying out disinfection by tlie Magistrates through the 1 Glasgov) Past and Pre,<<enl, vol. 1, p. xxi.