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of the chemical poison produced by the growth in the milk of the bacillus enteritidis sporogenes as
well as infection with the active microbe." Dr. Clowes, chemist to the London County Council,
examined samples of milk and other materials which were forwarded to him. The milk was tested for
boric acid, salicylic acid, and formaldehyde, but nothing of the nature of a preservative was detected.
In addition to this outbreak some cases of illness occurred in Hampstead in July among persons
who had partaken of ices from a confectioner's shop. Dr. Gwynn states that " the symptoms were those
of sickness, and severe gastro-enteritis, attended with diarrhoea." The ice in question had been sold out,
but samples of three kinds of ices were found on the premises and sent to the analyst, and nothing
deleterious was discovered.
Offensive Businesses.
During 1899 the Council's inspectors made 5,082 inspections of premises upon which offensive
businesses, including that of a slaughterer of cattle, were carried on. In 10 instances legal proceeding's
were instituted, and penalties were imposed by the magistrates amounting in the aggregate to £39 and
£19 5s. costs; in one case the defendant undertook to discontinue the business of bone-boiling and to
confine fat-melting to his old premises. The number of applications for renewal of slaughterhouse
licences was 419, of which 411 were granted. The number of applications for renewal of licences to
knackers' yards was 5, all of which were granted.

Complaints to the London County Council.
During 1899 the Council received 887 applications for assistance in securing the removal
of insanitary conditions. In cases concerning which representation had not already been made to the
sanitary authority the applicants were advised to make such representation. In other cases the
sanitary authorities were communicated with. In all cases the matter was kept under observation
until the conditions complained of were remedied. In connection with these applications 1,456
inspections were made by the Council's inspectors;
Nuisances.
Trade nuisances.
Nuisances arising from several trades are referred to in the annual reports of medical officers
of health.
Gas works—The medical officer of health of Kensington reports that complaints were received
during the year of nuisance from the gasworks in Kensal-green. The vestry addressed a communication
to the gas company informing them that observation would be made so that on recurrence of the
nuisance proceedings could be instituted. The company stated in reply that the smells were caused
by an elimination of sulphur impurities from the gas, according to the stringent requirements of the
metropolitan gas referees. " The company suggested that the gas referees should be communicated
with, with the object of a visit being made to the works on their behalf, when the company were of
opinion the referees would be able to satisfy the vestry that the best possible system was being carried
out; or in the case of a suggested improvement the company would immediately give instructions for
its adoption." The vestry declined to adopt this course as they held that the company was responsible
for preventing nuisance from the works.
Chemical works—Further report as to nuisance arising from the manufacture of cyanide of
potassium is made by the chief sanitary inspector of Battersea. The buildings in the immediate
neighbourhood of the works had the appearance of being coloured by Prussian blue, which arose from
the dust given off during the removal of prussiate of potash from one part of the works to another.
Complaints were also received that the dust caused irritation of the throat. Alterations were made in
the works, and the nuisance appears to have ceased. In Poplar nuisances were dealt with which arose
from the escape of sulphuretted hydrogen from the condenser of sulphate of ammonia works, the
escape of nitrous gas from nitric acid works and the escape of vapours of acetic acid.
Other trade nuisances—In Poplar nuisances arising from varnish, oil, cocoa nut oil, cotton oil,
india rubber, coffee extract, dye and asphalte works were dealt with.
Smoke nuisance.
In most of the reports of medical officers of health, mention is made of the action taken by the
sanitary authorities for the abatement of the smoke nuisance. These reports show that proceedings
before the magistrates were instituted by the sanitary authorities as follows: in Paddington in one
instance; in Kensington in two instances ; in Fulham in fifteen instances; in Hammersmith in three
instances ; in St. Giles in two instances; in Marylebone in two instances; in Hackney in two instances ;
in Shoreditch in two instances ; in Bethnal-green in thirteen instances; in Poplar in two instances;
in Rotherhithe in one instance; in Lambeth in four instances; in Battersea in seven instances ;
and in Wandsworth in eighteen instances. Proceedings were successful in all but a very few cases.