Copper Tops

It could not be said that sanitation was poor, it just did not exist. Because of the speed at which the population grew there were considerable and serious health problems. The river Taff was a running sewer and was conveniently used to dispose of the animal remains from the slaughter houses. Houses were built too close together and there was a severe shortage of fresh water. Cholera and typhoid were ever present and an outbreak of cholera in 1849 claimed 1,400 lives in five months.