1883-08-09fg

As a conclusion to its investigation into the state of the public alleyways in Hamilton, a Spectator reporter invited Dr. Ryall and Mr. George Murison, Health Inspector to accompany him on a tour of inspection.

The reporter chose to take the two gentlemen to the alleyway which ran from Catharine street to Spring street, between Main and Jackson streets.

Dr. Ryall said that the overgrown weeds along the alley might not cause any health problems, but indirectly, they could since decaying rubbish might be hidden by the dense vegetation:

“ ‘Well, what would suggest as a means by which this could be remedied?’ queried the reporter.

“ ‘Well,’ answered the doctor, ‘there should be a regular scavenger system, and everything carted off as soon as gathered. This is the only way by which the city can be kept thoroughly clean. It is not the place of the medical officer of the board of health to see to the cleaning up of the city. He can only report what he sees, and it remains for the board of health to see to the cleaning up of the city.’ ”¹

¹“Health of the City : From a Medical as Well as Official Standpoint”

Hamilton Spectator.  August 9, 1883

As for the Health Inspector Murison, it was his view that the alley was not in a bad condition at all, claiming that there was only a couple of piles of manure, a lot of ashes spread around, and a heavy growth of weeds:

“The city, he declared, was in a cleaner state now than it had been for a long time, and the desire of the board of health officers was to keep it as clean as possible, at as little expense as possible.”¹