View report page

55
A sample taken from the inlet of this drain on May 16th
and submitted to analysis was found to contain small quantities
of free sulphuric acid, sulphate of iron, and sulphuretted
hydrogen.* In this trio of chemical constituents†
the sample corresponds qualitatively with that taken on the
day after the accident from the place where the men fell.
As it is not the object of this report to incriminate this
person or that, but simply to trace the cause of the accident,
so it is not necessary to prove that the formation of sulphuretted
hydrogen in large volume in this private drain
did take place, but amply sufficient for the purpose to show
that it could take place. Although fouling the sewer to
the extent witnessed on May 4th may never recur, yet it
can be shown that chemical compounds are in store in the
Oil Refinery, capable when entering the drain lying beneath
those premises, of producing sulphuretted hydrogen gas in
unlimited quantity, and that the bursting of a butt, the breakage
of a carboy, or even the accidental turning of a tap,‡
might at any moment let loose activities that would a second
time sweep the sewer with a wave of lethal gas.
APPENDIX.
The following Certificates were issued by—
Dr. MUTER, f.r.s.e.d.: f.i.c.; f.c.s.;
Analyst to the Metropolitan Asylums Board:
Public Analyst for Lambeth, Southwark, Newington,
Rotherhithe, the Wandsworth District, and the
County of Lincoln (Lindsey Division).
325, Kennington Road, S.E.
London, 8th May, 1894.
No. 1.
Samples of Residual Sewage taken from Broadwall Sewer on
May 5 th, the day after the accident.
* Vide Appendix, No. 4. †Vide Appendix, Nos. X & 4.
‡ Vide Appendix, No. 5.