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several kinds have been freely provided according to requirements,
and the additional supply of glass cases and glass covers
to the coffins has been very useful as regards decency and the
prevention of smell. No infectious corpse has been brought to
the mortuary during the year, so that the air-tight receptacle has
not been used. When it is proposed to deposit such a body in
the mortuary, the ooffin is first filled up with sawdust strongly
impregnated with a disinfectant (a solution of corrosive sublimate
being preferred) and screwed down, before being received,
or immediately after its reception. The numbers of bodies
brought there during the last 5 years were as follows: in
1884, 72 ; in 1885, 69 ; in 1886, 77; in 1887, 75; and in
1888 as many as 113. There have been as many as 6
bodies in the mortuary at one time.
River Lee— The water in the early part of the year was not
complained of by any one, and was fairly good, but towards the
middle of May some complaints of offensive smell were received.
In my report for the three weeks ending June 2nd, I reported
that the water of the river and the Tottenham effluent contained
more ammonia than previously, indicating the necessity for the
effluent being carried into our sewer early in May. I was also
informed that a large number of fish were seen floating on the
surface of the water on Whit Monday, but an examination of the
samples of the water and of the effluent did not point out the
cause. After the effluent was carried into the sewer on June 1st
the water gradually improved, so that in September there was
not any perceptible difference between the water above and below
the Tottenham works. In my first report to the Board in
October I stated that the Tottenham effluent had been run into
the Lee on October 1st, and that on the evening of that day a
large number of fish were seen floating in the river. On October
2nd a sample of the river water was taken at the boundary
of this district, when it was found to be much deteriorated as
compared with its condition before the effluent was poured in.
Also that the sample of effluent was very bad, as it contained a