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57
Chemical Works.—The Chemical Works of Messrs.
Wliiffin. and the Alum and Ammonia Company's processes
have been the subjects of many inspections and reports, not
only by myself but by the aid of my colleague, of Dr.
Carpenter and Mr. Keates, who were called in. They also
have fully and exhaustively reported on the manufactures
carried on. Neither of these gentlemen have decidedly said
that they are injurious to health, but they recommend
improvements to neutralise and to prevent the escape of
disagreeable odours given off in the processes of manufacture.
It is certain that since these inspections the nuisances have
not been nearly so great, but have so subsided as to be bearable.
It will be remembered that the stoppage of the
Lombard Road sewer was traced to the refuse from one of
these works, and the difficulty the men had of working in
the sewer owing to the overpowering smells, several of the
men being quite overcome by them, led me to devise an
apparatus for the men to wear, which enabled them to
work with perfect impunity.
It appears to be a matter of difficulty to know what
to do with the refuse of trades. A quantity was deposited
in Lachmere Grove, which on analysis was found to contain
strychnine,—a most dangerous poison. It is true, as Dr.
Muter remarked, " it is not volatile;'' but any animal or a
child eating it would be seriously affected. Again, nothing
is so obnoxious to the sense of smell as putrid fish, yet
quantities were buried on a plot of ground between two
houses, and so objectionable did it become that serious
complaints were made, and by order of the Board this
piscatory burial-ground was closed. Refuse capable of
undergoing decomposition should be taken far away from
habitations, and buried deep, and not in places where in a
short time houses would probably be built.
Pigs and their Diseases.—Our friends the pigs have,
as usual, giveii a great deal of trouble during the year; many
inspections have been made, reports forwarded, and eight