Effluence and Influence - Public Health, Sewers and Politics in Lincoln 1848-50, by Dennis R. Mills
Book published by the Society for Lincolnshire History and Archeaology in 2015, 168 pages. Large softback - c.26cm by 21cm (N6789)
From the rear side cover: Cholera threatened Lincoln during the national epidemic of 1848-49. This book reproduces George Giles's detailed report on the insanitary condition of the city, as well as his state-of-the-art sewerage scheme. A lively debate ensued, much of it favourable, but at two rowdy public meetings the small ratepayers succeeded in defeating the adoption of the proposals. Yet Lincoln can be proud of a remarkably farseeing and worthy attempt at reform. The author places the local story and characters within the wider debates about public health, urban development and changes in sewer technology. There is also a summary of the continuing story down to 1881 when Lincoln eventually got a complete underground sewerage system. The book contains 167 pages and includes 60 illustrations, as well as Giles's 20-inch coloured plan.
The condition of the book is generally very good. The covers are clean and bright, the spine is tight and intact, and all pages are clean, intact, unblemished and tightly bound. The book has been bumped in the bottom right hand corner, and this has caused a small amount of wear and creasing in that corner, which extends through to the inside pages throughout.
| Condition | New |