[The dwelling-house in relation to health : a lecture] / by Henry Simpson.

  • Simpson, Henry.
Date:
[between 1800 and 1899?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: [The dwelling-house in relation to health : a lecture] / by Henry Simpson. 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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    vapours affect you all. The health and comfort of your households are touched by them. With such an atmosphere as that of Manchester, cleanliness, the first of the virtues as regards health, is rendered most difficult—often nearly impossible. We know the value of good water, and have long been proud of our supply from the Woodhead reservoirs, but it is a pity that so much has to be used in washing away filth, for the existence of which the Corporation itself is in a great degree responsible. At the same time we must remember our own responsibilities, and do what we can to aid and support them in the efforts they un- doubtedly make, in some things, to improve the sanitary condition of our city. We must remember that even with our present grates much may be done to lessen the production of smoke and waste of fuel, and much more might be done with some simple and economical appliances. But if the present apathy as to such matters continues, all the water of Thirlmere, should it ever, at the cost of unknown millions, find its way to Manchester, will be more than needed before we can wash this Ethiop city white. And I would venture here to suggest that all who take an interest in the character of our Corporation, in the election of its members, and the welfare of our city—as all should—not to be too anxious as to the colour of the ribbons with which the supporters of the various candidates love to deck themselves so bravely, but to ascertain if the questions bearing on the public health and public comfort will be considered in an intelligent, careful, and unselfish manner. Many fear an increase of the rates from sanitary improve- ■ | ments, forgetting that in communities, as in households, nothing is so costly as disease. Our magnificent Town Hall, notwithstanding its glorious beauty, adds nothing to the cleanliness and healthiness of Manchester—and yet it was built with your money. You will . j surely not grudge, in a short-sighted manner, the judicious spending ■' of a comparative trifle, when you know that it will save itself in increased health aniS cleanliness, both of which are far better, as well as far cheaper, than dirt and disease, and will surely lead to a lessening of the rates. Having done all in your power to prevent pollution of the air in your houses from avoidable nuisances, and by the strictest cleanliness, we must take care that the house is not made poisonous from defective drainage and the entrance of sewer gas from below. I will not now take up your time by referring to the contamination oi drinking water by sewage, and the frightful consequences that have often ensued. Those of you who are interested in the matter will find it touched upon in the lecture on The Health ol the Household, which I gave on behalf of the Sanitary Association