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not to interfere, that being a matter between the producer
and consumer; but with regard to its content of that which
during combustion may interfere with the public health,
I am able to state that it is well puritied, and may be used
without injury in well-ventilated apartments.
WATER SUPPLY.
The choice of the water which we drink ought to be
regarded as a matter of the greatest moment. Not only
may indefinite, but long-continued indisposition depend
on the use of impure water, but some of the most alarming
and fatal endemic diseases have been undeniably proved to
have been occasioned by its consumption. The water in
general use in Mile End Old Town is that supplied by the
East London Water Works Company. In my first annual
report I described the source from whence the Company
derived their supply; I wish now to remark on three conditions
of that water, viz.:—its hardness, and the amount of
organic and inorganic matter it contains.
The hardness of water is represented by a scale, indicating
degrees of hardness, as well as the real quantity of the principal
hardening agent,—carbonate of lime; thus, the East
London Water is of about 14 degrees of hardness, and
contains 14 grains of Carbonate of Lime—too much for
economical use, except as a beverage.
The amount of organic impurity in water is more important;
to this condition is its unfitness commonly owing, here,
at least for consumption. The Thames water contains at all
times a large quantity,—more, of course, during certain
seasons; that of the River Lea, which supplies the East
London Water Works, contains 18.30 grains to the gallon of