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and clear appearance, free from immediate exudation of blood or slimy fluid.
The external surface lying; underneath the skin should be free from the appearance
of bruises, and the inside portions of the ribs and flank pieces should
present a clear and glistening effect, and not be smeared with melted fat, a
practice commonly adopted by low-class butchers in dressing meat from animals
which have either died or been slaughtered whilst labouring under internal disease.
An undue shrinking of the meat in careful cooking is also an indication
of want of quality.
It must be borne in mind however that weather has considerable effect in
modifying the appearance of a joint, and the ordinary practice of exposing meat
in open shops in hot and dusty weather considerably darkens its external surface,
but a clean and recent cut develops its character. These indications must only
be considered in a popular light, and serve for general guidance. More subtle
evidences of disease can only be detected by practised experts.
WATER SUPPLY.
I am desirous at this juncture to direct the attention of the Board to the
great deficiency in the supply of water to a considerable portion of the Fulham
District. This disadvantage is more especially experienced in the Parish of
Fulham, where a very large number of the inhabitants are actually without any.
The water clause of the Nuisances Removal Act applies only to closets, but
the absence of drainage in many parts has hitherto prevented its extended application,
whilst that of the Metropolis Local Management Act, from the paucity
of water mains in the District, is also inoperative to a great extent. The defects
of these Acts, as at present existing, have occupied the anxious attention of the
Metropolitan Association of Medical Officers of Health, and an effort was made
to induce the Government to undertake their amendment during the past session,
but without success. I am of opinion that the attention of the West Middlesex,
Grand Junction, and Chelsea Water Companies should be called to this subject,
and that they should be requested to consider the propriety of largely extending
their several mains throughout the Fulham District. The present moment is
especially favourable for its discussion, since the expense of the ground work
might be materially lessened to the Water Companies by arrangements with the
Contractors for the several Sewer Works about to be commenced in Fulham.
No greater boon can be conferred on a community than that of amply providing
a supply of this great necessary of life.
THAMES WATER.
I have from time to time through the past year examined the water taken at
high and low water at the Hammersmith Suspension Bridge, with a view to
ascertain its present general condition, and for comparison with what it might
ultimately be expected to be when the sewage of the neighbourhood is wholly
diverted from it. My investigations go to prove that the Thames at Hampton
(compared with the body of water and extent of sewage at the two points,) is not
comparatively so pure, as a source of water supply, as might have been expected.
The table attached hereto shows the amount of inorganic and organic constituents
of the water at Hammersmith in juxtaposition with the Reports of Dr. R. D.
Thompson of the water as taken from the supply pipes of the different Water
Companies, after undergoing filtration, &c.
This is not so much a matter of surprise when we contemplate the mass of
sewage poured into the river from the many large towns in its route. Kingston,