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20
The New River water was found clear and bright on
twelve occasions, the West Middlesex clear and bright on ten
occasions, and slightly turbid on two occasions.
Electric Lighting.—From the hygienic point of view your
Vestry is to be congratulated upon furnishing many parts of
the parish with the electric light.
It is to be wished that the use of the electric light were
more generally adopted in our churches, chapels, and public
rooms. The reprehensible habit of partially warming the
former buildings by the burning of gas in cold weather is
not infrequent, and certainly the stifling heat resulting from
the free combustion of gas at evening services is often a
source of ill health and distress to many people. Unless the
Ventilation of a building or apartment in which gas is burnt
be perfect, the results of the combustion can hardly fail to
be prejudicial to those who breathe them, and in the case
of young children may be most injurious; so that one may
venture to express the hope that before many years have
elapsed the electric light, with its obvious advantages, will
have entirely superseded gas in private houses as an illuminating
agent.
It was considered by the Vestry that it was undesirable
that the Parish should be left without the services of a
Medical Officer during the vacation, having regard to the
various important questions which might arise. I therefore
take this opportunity of acknowledging my indebtedness
to Dr. C. W. Cunnington for his supervision of the department
during my necessary absence. Finally I have again to
tender my thanks to the various officers of the Vestry for