| PAISLEY AND CHARLESTON. | ||
| YEAR. | CHARACTER OF WATER. | NUMBER OF DEATHS. |
| 1849 | Polluted water | 182 |
| 1854 | Polluted water | 173 |
| 1866 | Pure water | 7 |
The testimony of Dr. Daniel Richmond, the medical officer of Paisley, before the Rivers Pollution Commission of 1874, in reference to the cholera epidemics, is of sufficient interest to be embodied verbatim:
“1. Have you any complaint to make of the water supply? No. The water that we have in Paisley is of a very superior character, and there is an unlimited supply to the whole of the inhabitants. The supply is constant, and I regard that as one of the greatest blessings the people ever received.
“2. Is there any water used which is obtained from wells? None. During the last epidemic of cholera the wells were ordered to be entirely shut up.
“3. When did the last epidemic of cholera occur? Four years ago. But I should say it was not epidemic in Paisley then. It was threatened in 1866.
“4. Had you any cases of cholera then? No. There was a danger felt about it, but I had no fear of it; and I expressed that opinion before the Sanitary Committee, that we should have no attack of cholera, and that the city of Glasgow would not have it.
“5. On what did you found that opinion? Upon the unlimited supply of pure water that we had, and on the supply of pure water that Glasgow had obtained from Loch Katrine.
“6. Was your prediction fulfilled in both cases? Yes.
“7. When had you cholera last in Paisley? Was it in 1854? In 1854.