View report page

6
smaller quantity of impurity and organic matter contained in it.
Hardness in water is not objectionable for drinking in its natural state ;
that, however, is not the mode in which the bulk of the supply is
consumed. As a solvent, for cooking, preparing tea, coffee, beer, and
other like beverages, as well as for the use of the laundry, softer water
is preferable.
DRAINAGE.
The drainage of a district is a matter of the highest importance,
and it is a subject of regret that an examination of our own has been
followed by a conclusion that it is lamentably deficient; its extension
and improvement will be one of the most effective means at the disposal
of the Vestry for securing the public health. The necessity of attention
to this vital matter is almost daily increasing. It is one of those
precautionary measures for the purpose of preventing disease which are
scarcely necessary in a small community, but become of the greatest
moment where a number of individuals are congregated. The examples
of a community, consisting of a few gipsies' tents, and the congregation
of persons in an encamped army, may be adduced. Disease rarely
occurs in the former, although precaution for the most part is not
entertained, while the latter will seldom remain healthy in a single spot,
but for a very short space of time, although the most judicious selection
of the site may have been accompanied by the most prudent subsequent
regulation. The change which has taken place in Mile End Old Town
in the population, and the great increase of habitations, point out the
necessity of adopting measures to avoid some of the evils always
attendant upon the occupation of a particular spot of ground by a
large number of persons. In fact, the Hamlet is in a course of transition,
if it has not yet become completely changed from country to town,
the sanatory management of the one differs much from the other, and
it is, therefore, through the alteration in the local condition of the
district, that a corresponding alteration in the measures to be taken
for the health of the public becomes imperative; foremost among these
means is the effectual removal of refuse of all kind, especially sewage
matter, as well as superabundant water contained in the vegetable soil.