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the same report, that the water drawn from the Thames
by the Chelsea, West Middlesex, Southwark, Grand
Junction, and Lambeth Companies, has greatly improved
in quality since the analyses contained in the last report
were made." So far, then, this is satisfactory; not so,
however, is the postponement in so many localities of
the long promised supply on the constant principle. Will
this system ever be generally supplied? is a question
that is very difficult of solution. Patience, however, is a
virtue, and Patience, it is supposed, must still be exercised
over this, as over many other sanitary matters of
importance that now await the consideration of the
Legislature. So many differences of opinion have yet to be
reconciled between consumers and some of the Companies
as to what are "prescribed fittings," that much litigation
appears inevitable before any great advance can be made
in the realization of the promised boon. New neighbourhoods,
where numbers of new houses are constantly
springing up, may possibly get a constant supply earlier
than old and poor localities, but it is feared the Legislature
will find it necessary to interfere to enforce the new
system on both the public and the companies before a
high pressure service can be brought into anything like
general use. Local authorities, it is submitted, should
combine to effect that which some powerful companies
appear bent on postponing so long as the patience of the
public will permit them.
Remarks upon various subjects, such as the abattoir
question, the necessity for amendments in the Adulteration
of Food Act, the disinfection of Bedding and Clothes, the
establishment of mortuaries, the scavenging of the District,
&c., might reasonably be re-introduced into this introduction,
but since they have been thoroughly discussed and
ventilated in former reports and Local Summaries of the
several Medical Officers of Health, it will serve no good
purpose to here refer to them at any greater length than
will afford an opportunity of again urging these several
matters upon the renewed consideration of the Board.