Definition of "scavengerism"

Not in Downing Street only, but in all other thoroughfares and arenas and spiritual or physical departments of his existence, running water and Herculean scavengerism have become indispensable, unless the poor man is to choke in his own exuviae, and die the sorrowfulest death.

1850 April 15, Thomas Carlyle, “No. IV. The New Downing Street.”, in Latter-Day Pamphlets, London: Chapman and Hall, […], page 139

Several congeneric species have been reported there as associated with decomposing plant matter, mushroom culture and corn processing plants, all under circumstances which indicate scavengerism.

1957, Illinois Biological Monographs, numbers 25-28, page 123