Genre:

Introduction, Reportage

Subjects:

Pollution, Disease, Public Health, Government

    Discusses the alarm and near panic caused by the foul state of the Thames, a 'fetid and unwholesome' river which is thought to 'generate disease or pestilence in the Metropolis' ([v]). Goes on to describe proposals to discontinue proceedings in the House of Commons until the 'danger to the public health' is reduced by improving the capital's drainage.