[Report 1891] / Medical Officer of Health, Birmingham.

  • Birmingham (England). Council.
Date:
1891
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: [Report 1891] / Medical Officer of Health, Birmingham. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    64/106 (page 56)
    Sewerage Works. Streets and Roads. Nightsoil and Refuse Disposal. Sanitary Work. Sewerage Works. I am informed by the City Surveyor that at the close of the year there were 208f miles of sewers iu the old City, under the control of the City Council. Streets and Roads. Of the 205^ miles of streets and roads, 201 miles liad been taken over by the City Council. The remaining 4.1 miles comprised 2^ miles of private roads and passages, and 2 miles of undeclared highways. Nightsoil and Refuse Disposal. During the year 41,793 loads of nightsoil were removed from ashpit privies. The contents of 1,937,061 pans were collected. The loads of ashes collected from tubs in connection with pan privies, numbered 74,568 ; and about 20,000 loads were removed from houses provided with water-closets. Sanitary Work. A return, showing the work done by the department during the year, is given in Table V., on pages 62 and 63. The nuisances abated numbered 18,662. Over 5,000 drains were opened and cleansed from obstruction ; while 1,098 were provided with efficient traps. Fifty drains running under houses were taken up and re-laid iu better positions ; and in 17 instances, where it was necessary to carry a drain under- neath the basement, iron pipes were used for the purpose, instead of earthenware. Eight hundred and fifty-six privies, of which 106 were of the pan form, were converted to water- closets ; 2,122 other privies were repaired. Fifty ashpits and privies under workshops were removed. Tlie number of notices issued for the abatement of nuisances was 16,035. Only 35 summonses were taken out for non-compliance with notices ; 28 of them were proceeded with, the penalties amounting to £2, and the costs to nearly £12. I remain, Mr. Chairman and Gentlemen, Your obedient Servant, ALFRED HILL, M.D., Medical Officer of Health.