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88
It will be seen that I have given the average composition
of the water supplied by each Company. I do not,
however, attach much importance to this, for, as I said in a
special Report which I laid before the Vestry in April 1878,
"I submit that it is not the average quality which is of
importance, but the worst samples that we are liable to be
supplied with at any time of the year, and that the public
has a right to demand that it shall at no time be supplied
with water which is 'quite unfit for dietetic purposes.'"
"As Mr. Simon has said, 'It ought to be made an absolute
condition for a public water supply, that it should be
uncontaminable by drainage.'"
The common gas supplied by the London Gas Company
has been examined by me from time to time at their testing
room, and has always been found to be above the required
standard of illuminating power, to contain occasionally faint
traces of ammonia, and to be free from sulphuretted
hydrogen.
For the information of the Parishioners, I may mention
that a hospital carriage for removing persons suffering from
infectious diseases is kept at the workhouse in Mount
Street; but those who are in a position to bear the expenses
of their support should apply at the London Fever Hospital,
Liverpool Road, Islington, or, in case of small-pox, at the
Highgate Small-pox Hospital, where they can be accommodated
on favourable terms.
I have the honour to be,
My Lords and Gentlemen,
Your obedient Servant,
W. H. CORFIELD, M.A., M.D. (Oxon),
F.R.C.P. (London).
10, Bolton Row, Matfair, W.,
June 1878.