Notorious London: A City Tour Season 1 Episode 9 The Great Stink of 1858

Notorious London: A City Tour is a fascinating historical documentary series that explores the dark and often gruesome stories that have shaped the city of London over the centuries. In season 1, episode 9, titled "The Great Stink of 1858," the focus is on one of the most curious and disgusting events in London's history.

The episode begins by setting the scene of London in the mid-19th century. The city was quickly expanding, with more and more people moving in every day. But with this population growth came a serious problem: sewage. There were no proper systems in place for dealing with the vast amounts of waste produced by the city's inhabitants, and most of it ended up being dumped straight into the River Thames.

As a consequence of this, the river had become incredibly polluted and smelly. At low tide, the stench was so overpowering that it was said to be able to knock people unconscious. Flies and other insects swarmed around the riverbanks, spreading disease and making life miserable for everyone who lived nearby.

But little was done to address the issue until 1858, when a particularly hot summer exacerbated the problem to an unbearable degree. Parliament, situated right next to the river, was forced to close after the smell became too much for the members to bear. The stench was so bad that it was even rumored to be causing illness and death among the population.

The episode explores the different attempts that were made to solve the problem, from simple solutions like spraying the river with perfume, to more complicated engineering projects such as Bazalgette's sewer system. We learn about the political and social factors that made it difficult to address the issue, including the reluctance of the rich to spend money on something that didn't directly affect them, and the difficulties of convincing both the public and the government to take notice of the problem.

Throughout the episode, we also hear from experts in the field, who shed light on the science behind the stench and the health problems it caused. We learn about the diseases that were rife in the city at the time, and the impact that the polluted river had on the health of Londoners.

Overall, "The Great Stink of 1858" is a fascinating look at a little-known aspect of London's history. It sheds light on the challenges of urban sanitation in the 19th century, and demonstrates the importance of good infrastructure and planning in creating a healthy and sustainable city. It's a must-watch for anyone interested in London's past, or in the history of public health more broadly.