176 Measures in the City of Bombay. [ CHAP. VII.
Engineer's attention was drawn to the fact that this procedure, if
vigorously and rigorously continued very long, was likely to render
a large number of people in Bombay houseless and homeless. He
thereupon reported the matter to the Municipal Commissioner, who
considered the question whether the inspection, improvement, and
demolition of the buildings should be continued longer in similar
conditions, or should be stopped. The Municipal Commissioner,
after consulting, we are informed, the Plague Committee, decided
that as the rains were coming on soon, the demolition of buildings
should be carried out with greater care. The inspection of the
buildings is, however, still going on ; but the closing of houses and
the marking of them with 'U. H. H.' has so far ceased, unless when
the exigencies of the case demand the adoption of this stringent
measure forthwith. After the rains, the systematic examination and
rejection of unsuitable buildings is expected to proceed, and then all
those houses and pucca* tenements which will be adjudged to be
'U. H. H.' will be subjected either to good sanitary alterations or
improvements, or when they are found to be past redemption will be
demolished without compunction or concern. It will be seen from
this that the popular misconception about the houses being con-
demned promiscuously and carelessly is undeniably erroneous and
without foundation, and that the work is being scrupulously carried
out in accordance with the avowed principles of sanitary science.
In consideration of the amount of work required to be carried out,
the Municipal Commissioner has sanctioned an additional establish-
ment to the Executive Engineer's Department, of one Assistant
Engineer, three Divisional Superintendents, and seven ward inspectors
for the purpose of conducting the examination of houses on the prin-
ciples of sanitary engineering science. The whole of this establish-
ment is not, however, to be entertained immediately ; but the Executive
Engineer is authorised to employ such of the sanctioned men from
time to time as occasion requires. It is probable that the full comple-
ment of this newly-created staff will be required after the rains, when
the strict and systematic examination of buildings and the condemna-
tion of the insanitary ones will be resumed as hitherto."
Mr. Snow stated that up to the beginning of October 1897, the
sanitary condition of 2,000 buildings was carefully overhauled in this
fashion.
Cleansing and
disinfecting of
entire localities.
Seven instances.
Another very important set of operations was the cleansing and
disinfection of entire localities which were insanitary or infected to
a special degree. General Gatacre gave an interesting account of
the operations conducted in certain localities illustrated by a set of
* Masonry.