epidemic disease. This year again the anxiety has been renewed, and, as we meet in Cardiff, a port which, owing to its intimate shipping connection with the Spanish ports, is of course proportionately liable to the introduction of the epidemic, it may not be considered inappropriate for me instead of entering into any lengthened exposition of the etiology of zymotic diseases, to explain the practical lessons in sanitation which are, I think, to be learned from certain previous outbreaks of cholera and zymotic diseases which have come under my observation during the time I have had the privilege of advising the authorities of this town.
Then he gives you a history of the three epidemics of cholera in Cardiff, and the measures which had been taken, and this is the result of his experience:—
The experience of Cardiff may, therefore, be taken to prove that by increased sanitation cholera is robbed of its chief terror. In the outbreak of 1849, there were all the unsanitary conditions of soil, drainage, polluted waters, and general circumstances which could contribute to the spread of the epidemic, and we see that then it was limited mainly to the area in which it throve with such fatal vigour. In 1854, the second outbreak came before there was improvement in the drainage or water supply, and again we find the same area to be the centre from which it spread, modified, however, by the change in the location of patients, and by the prohibition of the use of polluted water. In 1866, again it visited the town in as virulent a form as before, but was met and checked at once by the improved sanitation and water supply; while the only striking incident of the epidemic was one isolated case which demonstrated the enormous power for evil which polluted water possesses. The lessons are the same as those to be learned in other places and countries, but here they are, however, perhaps, more sharply inculcated. Foul water, running kennels, noxious cesspools, open drains, stagnant pools, and all noxious abominations which, in the former times, abounded, are the conditions under which zymotic germs live and thrive and multiply; and cholera is a powerful enemy to be dreaded. Change these conditions, give pure water, good drains, and healthy arrangements, and its power is gone.
Then in the discussion which followed Mr. Dyke says-Cholera had its source in filth, if this were removed cholera ceased." Again, Surgeon-General Cornish, of Madras, says-" He laid special stress upon the practical fact that both in India and in England sanitary measures, improved water supply, drainage, and better housing had enormously improved public health and diminished the liability to cholera." There was another paper read by Dr. Aitkin, about the Quarantine Congress then sitting in Rome, and the great faith set in quarantine. He says-
Most of these smaller states have not even tried to institute any sanitary administration; and where they possess the rudiments of such a service, the health officers themselves are not educated to believe in the value of local sanitation.
It is useless to try to impress on such men that they must free their subsoil from pollution by a thorough system of drainage, must keep their water supply and the air of their city and villages uncontaminated by the products of the decomposition of organic matter, and must house their teeming populations somewhat better than their pigs, when their one notion is that typhoid fever and cholera spread exactly in the same way as scarlatina or small-pox. The views of the two schools are hopelessly divergent that many years must pass before we can expect any general concurrence in our belief that a thoroughly practical and well-considered system of hygiene, efficiently carried out, is the one method by which such diseases as typhoid fever, diphtheria, and cholera can be banished from our midst, or, when accidentally introduced, be confined within the most modest limits.
The editor of the paper says, "There is much that is mysterious in cholera, but this one point is clear, that by the removal of these local unsanitary conditions and by the proper management of imported cases, towns and districts may be effectually defended from its epidemics." These, sir, are facts, and facts which should greatly encourage all those who have to deal with sanitary matters. I have no doubt you will have to meet some opposition, which all sanitary reforms at one time or another encounter. I trust I have redeemed, though at a length which I greatly regret, my promise to show the necessity of the legislation which we propose and the benefits which, judging from the experience of others, we may confidently look forward to derive from any sacrifice which the legislation may impose upon us. I now pass to the Ordinance itself. It is divided into nine parts. The first contains the definition clause, and the constitution and powers of the Sanitary Board. You will find by section 13, the Board has power to make regulations concerning no less than twenty-six different matters, the most important of which I consider are numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 14, and 15. I will not mention what these are because honourable gentlemen have the Ordinance before them. All the bye-laws made by this Board are to be submitted to the approval of the Legislative Council, and looking at the importance of the matters dealt with, I think you will all agree this is a very proper condition to make, in order that the bye-laws may receive publicity and discussion. Among the powers given to the Board are those of entry on any premises on suspicion of the existence of a nuisance; the issuing of notices requiring the abatement of any nuisance, and if the terms of the notice are not carried out, the execution by the Board itself of all necessary works.
Part 2 deals solely with the measures to be taken in case the Colony is threatened with any formidable epidemic. Part 3 deals with house drains. It may be said that a great many of these details might have been dealt with in the bye-laws, but looking at the importance of the matter, the principles involved, and the fact that this is the first serious attempt to deal with this question, it is deemed advisable to incorporate them in the Ordinance, in order to afford the opportunity of full discussion thereof. By section 48 power is given to the Board whenever it has reason to believe the drains of any house are in a defective state, to enter the premises and open the drains. If they are found in satisfactory condition, the drains are to be replaced at the cost of the Board, and if not, they are to be repaired at the cost of the landlord.
Part 4 relates to the windows of domestic buildings, the space underneath the floors, and the size of the windows. Part 5, which is very important, deals with buildings erected on a level site excavated out of a slope or declivity, and from the extracts I have read from Mr. Chadwick's report it will easily be seen some legislation on this point was necessary. Any person who shall erect on a site excavated out of a slope any building shall leave between his wall and the slope a clear intervening space of four feet. If the basement story of the building is intended for cellarage or purposes other than human habitation it may abut against the hill to the height of the basement story. But if the basement is intended for human habitation that is not to be permitted.
Part 6 relates wholly to privies. Part 7 regulates the space to be left in front of and behind domestic buildings. Fifteen feet is to be left in front of the house, and along the entire back of the domestic building, a clear space of at least 10 feet in width is to be left. A modification is made in the case of those houses which have in accordance with section 56 left a space of four feet between the external wall and the slope of the hill side. There is a provision contained in section 71 whereby the enactments of the two preceding sections may be modified if they cannot be adhered to without undue sacrifice of property.
With respect to buildings erected on land purchased of the Crown after the passing of this Ordinance, they are obliged to leave a backyard of ten feet for one storey, fifteen feet for two storeys, and twenty-five feet for three storeys. That is a condition which can easily be imposed, because everyone purchasing the land will know beforehand the restrictions imposed on him, and will pay for the land accordingly.
We now come to a very important part of the Ordinance, dealing with overcrowding. You have seen from Mr. Chadwick's report that the place is greatly overcrowded, and you have seen, in outbreaks of cholera and other diseases, the ill effects of overcrowding, and therefore we have laid it down that every domestic building found to be inhabited in excess of a proportion of one adult to every 300 cubic feet of clear internal space shall be considered to be in an overcrowded condition and be deemed a nuisance. This matter has been carefully considered by the Sanitary Board and they have come to the conclusion that the minimum space to be allowed is 300 cubic feet for each individual. If this were put into force and carried out strictly at once, it is calculated it would turn out about 20,000 people; therefore it is not intended to carry it out all at once, but bit by bit. This section will therefore only apply to certain districts named in an order of the Governor in Council. The Government hope to be able to place a large quantity of land at the disposal of builders, and so provide for those turned out by this Bill, and so, by acting with tact and moderation, it is hoped no hardship will arise.
Section 87 says that no person who shall erect a domestic building shall let the same until it has been inspected and certified as having been built in compliance with the provisions of the Ordinance, and as being in every respect fit and proper for human habitation. At the end of the Ordinance you will find some bye-laws for the proper maintenance of common lodging houses. I do not think any great principle is involved in these bye-laws.
Page 60
Page 35
epidemic disease. This year again the anxiety has been renewed, and, as we meet in Cardiff, a port which, owing to its intimate shipping connection with the Spanish ports, is of course proportionately liable to the introduction of the epidemic, it may not be considered inappropriate for me instead of entering into any lengthened exposition of the etiology of garions zymotic diseases, to explain the practical lessons in sanitation which are, I think, to be learned from certain previous outbreaks of cholers and zymo. tio diseases which have come under my observation during the time I have had the privilege of advising the authorities of this town.
Then he gives yon a history of the three epide- mics of cholera in Cardiff, and the measures which had been taken, aud this is the result of his experience:—
The experience of Cardiff may, therefore, be taken to prove that by increased sanitation cholera is rob. bed of its chief terror. In the outbreak of 1849, there were all the unsanitary conditions of soil, drainage, polluted waters, and general "circumstances which could contribute to the spread of the epidemic, and we see that then it was imited mainly ₺ - the area in which it throve with such fatal vigour. In 1854, the second outbreak came before there was improvement in the drainage of water supply, and again we find the same area to be the centre from which it spread, modi- fied, however, by theobange in the location of patients, and by the prohibition of the use of polluted water. In 1866, again it visited the town in as virulent a form as before, but was met and oh g ed at once by the improved sanitation and water suf dy; while the on ly striking incident of the epidemic was one isolated case which demonstrated the enormons power for evil which pointed wator possesses. The lessors are the same as those to be learned in other places and countries, but here they are, however, perhaps, more sharply inculcated. Foul water, running kennsla, noxious cesspools, open drains, staguant pools, and all noxious abominations which, in the former limos, sbounded, are the conditions under which zymotio germs live and thrive and multiply; and cholera is a powerful enemy to be drondod. Change these coa- altions, give pure water, good drains, and besltby arrangements, and its power is gone.
Then in the discussion which followed Mr. Dyke says-Cholera had it source in filth, if this wore removed cholera coased." Again, Surgeon-General Cornish, of Madras. says-" He laid special stress
upon the practical fact that both in India and in England sanitary measures, improved water supply, drainage, and better housing had enormously im. proved public health and diminished the liability to cholera." There was another paper read by Dr. Aitkin, about the Quarantine Congress then sitting in Rome, and the great faith set in quarantine. He says-
Most of these smaller states have not even tried to institute any sanitary administration; and where they possess the rudiments of such a servian, the health officers themselves are not educated to believe in the value of local sanitation.
It is aseless to try to impress on such men that they must froe their subsoil from pollution by a thorough system of drainage, must keep thoir water supply and the air of their city and villages uncon- tacinated by the pro-lucts of the decomposition of organio inatter, and must house their teeming pop- lations somewhat better than their pigs, when their one notion is that typhoid fever and aholera spread exactly in the same way as scarlatina or small- pox. The views of the two schools are hopelessly divergent that
must pass before
We can expect any goner.al currence in our belief that a thoroughly practical and well considered system of hygiene, efficiently carried out, is the one method by which such dis. eases us typhoid fever, diphtheris, and cholora can be banished from our midst. or, when accidently introduced, be confined within the most modest li- mits.
many years
60
con-
The editor of the paper says, "There is much that is mysterious in cholera, but this one point is clear, that by the removal of theas local un- sanitary conditions and by the proper manage. ment of imported cases, towns and districts may be effectually defended from its epidemies." These, sir, are facts, and facts which should greatly ex- courage all those who have to deal with sanitary matters. I have no doubt you will have to meet some opposition, which all nitary reforms at one time or another en counter. I trust I have redeemed, though at a length which I greatly regret, my promise to show the necessity of the legislation which we pro- pose and the benefits which, judging from the experience of others, we may confidently look forward to derive from any sacrifico which the legislation may impose upon us. I now pass to the Ordinance itself. It is divided into nine parts. The first contains the definition clause, and the constitution and powers of the Sanitary Board. You will find by section 13, the Board has power to make regulations concerning no less than twenty six different matters, the most important of which I consider are numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 14, and 15. I will not mention what these are because hou. g mtlemen have the Ordi- nance before them. All tho bre-laws made by this Board are
be submitted to the
to
approval of the Legislative Council, and look- ing at the importance of the matters dealt with, I think you will all agree this is a very proper condition to make, iu order that the bye-laws may receive publicity and discussion. Among the powers given to the Board are those of entry on any presumption of the existence of a nui- sauce; the issuing of notices requiring the abate- ment of any nuisance, and if the terms of the notice are not carried out, the execution by the Board itself of all uncassary works. Part 2 deals solely with the measures to be taken in case the Colouy is threatened with any formidable epidemio. Part 3 deals with house drains. It may be said that a great many of these details might have been dealt with in the bye- laws, but looking at the impor a ce of the matter, the principles involved, and th. 1 ct that this is the first serious attempt to deal with this question, it is deemed advisable to incorporate them in the Ordinance, in order to afford the opportunity of: full discussion thereof. By section 48 power is given to the Board whenever it has reason to believe the drains of any house are in a defective state, to enter the premises and open the draius. If they are found in satisfactory "condition, the drains are to be replaced at the cost of the Board, and if not, they are to be repaired at the coat of the landlord. Part 4 relates to the windows of domestic buildings, the space an derneath the floors, and the size of the windows. Part 5, which is very important, doals with buildings erected on a level site excavated outof a slope or declivity, and from the extracts I have read from Mr. Chadwick's report it will easily be seen some legislation on this point was necessary. Any person who shall erect on a site excavated out of a slope any building shall leave between his wall and the alope a clear intervening space of four feet. If the basement story of the building is intended for cellarage or purposes other than human habitation it may abut against the bill to the height of the basement story. But if the basement is intended for human habitation that is not to be permitted. Part 6 relates wholly to privies. Part 7 regulates the space to be left | in front of and behind domestic buildings. Fifteen feet is to be left in front of the house, and along the entire back of the domestic build. ing, a clear space of at least 10 feet in width is to be left. A modification is made in the case of those bonges which have in accordance į with section 56 left a space of four feet be- tween the external wall and the slope of the hill side. There is a provision contained in sec- tion 71 whereby the enactments of the two preceding sections may be modified if they cannot be adhered to without undue sacrifice of property. With respect to buildings erected on land purchased of the Crown after the pass- ing of this Ordinance, they are obliged to leave a backyard of ten feet for one storey, fifteen feet for two storeys, and twenty-five feet for three storeys. That is a condition which can easily be imposed, because everyone purchasing the land will know beforehand the restrictions imposed on him, and will pay for the land accordingly. We now come to a very important part of the Ordnance, dealing with overcrowd. ing. You have seen from Mr. Chadwick's re- port that the place is greatly overcrowded, and you have seen, in outbreaks of cholera and other diseases, the ill effects of overcrowding, and therefore we have laid it down that every domes- tic building found to be inhabited in excess of a proportion of one adult to every 300 cubic feot of clear internal space shall be considered to be in an overcrowded condition and be deemed a nuisance. This matter has been carefully considered by the Sanitary Board and they have come to the conclusion that! the minimum space to be allowed is 300 onbic feet for each individual. If this were put into force and carried out strictly at once, it is calculated it would turn out about 20,000 people; therefore it is not intended to car- ry it out all at once, but bit by bit. This sec- tion will therefore only apply to certain districts named in an order of the Governor in Council. The Government hope to be able to place a large quantity of land at the disposal, of builders, and $0 provide for those turned out by this Bill, and so, by Acting with tact and moderation, it is hoped no hardship will arise. Section 87 says that no person who shall erect a domestic building shall let the same nutil it has been inspected and cer tified as having been built in compliance with the provisions of the Ordinance, and as being in every respect fit and proper for human habitation. At the end of the Ordinance you will find some bye-laws for the proper maintenance of common lodging house. I do not think any great prin- ciple is involved in these bye-laws. They are!
35
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