The cleaning and paving programme of Mexico City (1769-1782)

A bando of 1769 required every house in Mexico City to build a covered refuse pit and a masonry cesspit vented to the roof, banned tipping into the streets and acequias, and set convict carts to empty the pits; a later plan flagged the pavements and covered the house drains, charged to the owners. Four convents sued to be excused. A royal cedula of 1782 refused them, on the ground that paving keeps epidemics out of crowded places.