Public Health Act (11 & 12 Vict. c. 63.) Report to the General Board of Health on a Preliminary Inquiry Into the Sewerage, Drainage, and Supply of Water, and the Sanitary Condition of the Inhabitants of the Town and Parish of Brixham (1854)

The case of Brixham makes clear that the mere presence of a middle class did not bring successful sanitation. Brixham is a sea port, market town and parish, in the union of Totnes, hundred of Haytor, Paignton, and south division of Devon. The markets of London, Bath, Cheltenham, and Exeter, are partly supplied from this source, to the extent, in all, of about 20 tons weekly. A great portion of Lower Brixham is built on the sides of the west cliff, the streets and alleys forming galleries or terraces on the face of the hill, which rises very precipitously to a considerable height above the level of the sea. ‘The parish of Brixham comprises two distinct classes of people – the seafaring and the agricultural; and these occupy two separate districts, locally known as ‘the quay’ and ‘the town.’‘ The report of superintending inspector will show how far Brixham has or has not the necessary appliances for health and decency.