The sanitary duties of private individuals : especially separated and distinguished from the sanitary duties of government ... and to be applied by every one to himself in his own business or position in life.

Date:
1864
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The sanitary duties of private individuals : especially separated and distinguished from the sanitary duties of government ... and to be applied by every one to himself in his own business or position in life. 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.

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    tion of duty on the part of any public body, and can only be remedied by the voluntary action of each person. It is true that the law nominally restrains people from throwing refuse into the streets, from having collections of rubbish on their premises which are offensive to their neighbours, and from a few other overt acts, and also that public provision is made for occasional scavenging; but the bulk of the evil comes of private neglect, and can only be remedied by the act of every private householder, A place for refuse should be appointed for every house ; the ashes, which have some deodo- rizing power, should be thrown on the heap ; and the whole should be entirely and frequently re- moved. If any nuisance arise, it is better to burn the animal and vegetable refuse in the kitchen fire. Nothing should be thrown carelessly about, either in-doors or out. No collections of bones or fat should be in the house ; and servants should be looked after. In short, common domestic cleanliness, and the determination to allow nothing unwholesome, are absolutely necessary. Ventilation is another neglected point. Scien- tific contrivances may or may not be possible ; but doors, windows, and chimneys, which are the common ventilators of every house, may always be made a proper use of, to let air pass in and out. Chimneys should never be stopped up : a tem- porary closure may be needed on account of rain or back-smoke, but it should be removed again as soon as practicable. All windows should open, especially the upper sashes. Half an incli or an inch open at the top of a window will keep a