Report to the hon. the Commissioners of Sewers of the City of London, upon the ventilation of sewers / by William Haywood.

  • Haywood, William.
Date:
1858
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report to the hon. the Commissioners of Sewers of the City of London, upon the ventilation of sewers / by William Haywood. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    almost every one is now conversant with. These are the ordinary Coal Gas, Avhich from one of its ele- ments is generally known as Carburctted Hydrogen; the others are Sulphuretted Hydrogen Gas, and Carbonic Acid Gas. Carburetted Hydrogen, is a highly inflammable gas, which collects in the sewers and their appliances, generally owing to leakage from the gas pipes, although it is probable at times, from decomposition of the sewage matters; the danger to be apprehended from this gas is explosion upon contact with fire. Its specific gravity is less than that of the atmo- sphere ; it consequently floats in the upper portions of the sewers, and collects in any chambers above upon my mind that great exaggeration, if not a total misappre- hension, prevails upon the subject of the pernicious influence of the Thames upon the public health. I call attention to one fact: since the replacement of the old ' Dreadnought' by the present ship, now nine months ago, not a case of fever has originated on board this floating hospital. Will these views be supported ? There are many among the most eminent of the profession, whose opinions do not appear yet to have been given upon this important subject. What if it should be stated at a future day, that great exaggeration, if not total misapprehension exists upon the subject of the perni- cious influence of the chance emanations from gullies. Has it yet been proved that they are to be feared when diluted to such an extent that they are no longer off'cnsive to the sense of smell ?—W. H.