'Public Disinfectors', 1877.

Plate produced using the Woodburytype proces of two street disinfectors with their cart taken from 'Street Life in London' (London, 1877) written by Adolphe Smith with photography by Scottish photographer John Thomson (1837-1921). The aim of this book was stated as 'to bring before the public some account of the present condition of the London street folk, and to supply a series of faithful pictures of the people themselves'. It is one of the first examples of photography used as social documentary.