to the capital effect of draining on the productive capacity of
the land,--the most beneficial sanitary results may be confidently expected
from the extension of the practice, especially in such localities as are
now unsafe, or at least undesirable for residence.

In proportion to the completeness and efficiency of the means for the
removal of surplus water from the soil:--in proportion, that is, to the
degree in which the improved tile drainage described in these pages is
adopted,--will be the completeness of the removal of the causes of disease.
So far as the drying of malarious lands is concerned, it is only necessary
to construct drains in precisely the same manner as for agricultural
improvement.

The removal of the waste of houses, and of other filth, will be considered
in the next chapter.

CHAPTER XI. - HOUSE DRAINAGE AND TOWN SEWERAGE IN THEIR RELATIONS TO THE
PUBLIC HEALTH.

The following is extracted from a report made by the General Board of
Health to the British Parliament, concerning the administration of the
Public Health Act and the Nuisances Removal and Diseases Prevention Acts
from 1848 to 1854.

"Where instances have been favorable for definite observation, as in broad
blocks of buildings, the effects of sanitary improvement have been already
manifested to an extent greater than could have been anticipated, and than
can be readily credited by those who have not paid attention to the
subject.

"In one favorable instance, that of between 600 and 700 persons of the
working class in the metropolis, during a period of three years, the
average rate of mortality has been reduced to between 13 and 14 in 1000.
In another instance, for a shorter period, among 500 persons, the
mortality has been reduced as low as even 7 in 1000. The average rate of
mortality for the whole metropolis being 23 in 1000.

"In another instance, the abolishing of cess-pools and their replacement
by water-closets, together with the abolishing of brick drains and their
replacement by impermeable and self-cleansing stone-ware pipes, has been
attended with an immediate and extraordinary reduction of mortality. Thus,
in Lambeth Square, occupied by a superior class of operatives, in the
receipt of high wages, the deaths, which in ordinary times were above the
general average, or more than 30 in 1000, had risen to a rate of 55 in
1000. By the abolishing of cess-pools, which were within the houses, and
the substitution of w