11
the contrary should always, if possible, be in the first instance taken to the soil
which it enriches by its contained organic matter until by filtration it becomes
sufficiently pure to be allowed to enter streams.
44. I am certain if Mr. Rawlinson or any other great Sanitary Engineer
were here, his advice to Government would be to lay glazed stoneware pipes
down the centre of each street and thoroughfare, and between each row in the
back slums and to connect every privy-ablution place in the bazar through pro-
perly ventilated traps with them, and thus convey the sewage whilst fresh to an
outfall if possible on to land, for example on to the fields between the railway
and the river where Mr. Whiting proposes to establish his sewage farm. The
existing nullahs being in the first instance cleaned out and left for the convey-
ance of the storm water alone, and every privy or any other connection being
scrupulously cut off and diverted into the sewage channels. That, I feel certain,
is the best advice and would be the cheapest in the long run, because the channels
for the sole conveyance of sewage are so much smaller than those required for
the conveyance of sewage combined with storm water. In India rain only falls
for 4 months in the year, and consequently during the remaining 8 months the
wetted periphery of sewers constructed to carry off the combined fluids would
bear a ludicrously small proportion to the greater portion of the interior of the
sewer which even in the minor sewers would have to be made of huge dimensions
to carry off the enormous rush of water sent down after a few hours' heavy rain
in the monsoon, and consequently during the greater part of the year the space
above would be simply reservoirs for gas to collect in.
45. I believe, as I have, said, that a system of pipe sewers if laid by a com-
- p e t e n t S a n i t a r y E n g i n e e r w o u l d b e i n c o m p a r a b l y t h e b e s t w a y o f d e a l i n g w i t h
the question, but of course before anything could be done to alleviate the present
disgraceful state of affairs other than by constant flushing and constant opening
up and cleaning the existing drains, much time must be occupied in making a
complete survey of the bazar and taking the levels and in settling the question of
outfall. All of which points must be determined before the estimates of its cost
can be prepared. If it is undertaken I think endeavours should be made to see
whether in the first instance the municipality of the neighbouring City would
not at the same time establish a sewerage scheme as I advised them to do last
year into which the outfall for the bazar might pass, but if there is no hope of
this action being taken in the City, the sewerage should be diverted from the
Manick nullah and carried to the fields above suggested.
46. I must however take notice of another course which has been suggested
as though it is far less efficient, far less perfect than the scheme I recommend,
yet it would undoubtedly be an improvement in the present state of things, as it
would effect what is the great sanitary want in the Sudder Bazar, namely, the
removal of sewage from amidst the very sleeping . rooms and habitations of the
people and, to a certain extent would tend to dry the subsoil. This course is to
lay open segmental drains down each of the lanes in the back slums and along
the main streets and to allow the privy and ablution water to escape by them,
these channels would convey sewage during the fair season and sewage plus storm-
water during the rains.
47. The great objection I have to this system of drains is that it would be
offensive to sight and smell, and though much less dangerous to health than the
existing soakage into the subsoil yet it would still be prejudicial to health, as the
open gutters would contain the most offensive matters and would run past each
man's house, while vehicles passing over them would damage their sides and they
would get blocked up by dry refuse some of which would be carried into and