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15
them already, but may say that I found them perfectly
sweet, clean, and free from any unpleasant odour, whether
in the slaughter-houses themselves or in the sheds in which
a few oxen and sheep are kept before being killed. Inasmuch
as the slaughtering-places are very near the front shop of
each house, it is quite certain that any offensiveness in the
slaughter-house would not only be perceived in the shop by
the customers, but would probably taint the meat there. It
is very unlikely, therefore, that any offensiveness would be
permitted by the owners, for their own sakes.
I do not uphold the practice of slaughtering in towns,
but still the objections brought against that practice ought
to be reasonable and true. It is doubtful if injury to
health arises from this cause in our parish; and I have
smelled more offensive odours, on a summer's morning,
from the dust-bins of the houses in Berkeley-square than
I ever did from all the slaughter-houses I have inspected.
I am, dear Sir,
Yours truly,
C. J. B. Aldis, Esq., M.D. R. DRUITT.
Whilst then, no cause of complaint could be detected in
the slaughter-houses, there was plenty nearer home. For
with his permission, your Medical Officer and the Inspector
of Nuisances examined the condition of the complainant's
own house, when they found the trap in the back area perfectly
dry, and sewer air escaping freely. The sink in the front
kitchen was without a trap: it is true that the grating of a
trap was near, but the bell had been knocked off; and the
trap in the front area was not properly sealed with water.
The water-closet on the landing, near the complainant's bedroom,
also contained an untrapped sink. Here were four
sufficient causes of bad smell.