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64
year preceding. It should be observed that the extent
of the work comprehended in the conduct of these operations
cannot be exhibited in a tabulated form. As, for
instance, the number of examinations, &c., comprised in
the removal of one nuisance.
The Slaughter-houses and Cow-houses also underwent
the usual annual examination previous to the renewal of
their owners' licenses, and although no objection could be
sustained against the condition of the latter in consequence
of the existing state of the law, or rather the
absence of law in reference to them, it must be confessed
that their condition was generally not so satisfactory as it
ought to be; and it is here worthy of remark that, when it
is considered of what great value a supply of pure milk is
to the human economy, especially in sickness, and of what
vital importance it is to a large proportion of the infant population,
it is much to be regretted that the law which fully
recognizes such value by its action in reference to adulteration,
is not directed to the employment of some standard
regulations, such as are already applied to Slaughterhouses,
for the purpose of insuring the health of the
cattle upon which the purity of the milk-supply so
essentially depends. The direction for improvement would
be indicated in the determination of the cubical space
allotted for each cow, of proper ventilation, water supply,
and daily removal of ordure and other arrangements for
general cleanhness.
The Water Supply.—The water supplied to this
neighbourhood still retains its long continued unenviable
notoriety of possessing the worst quality of any supplied
to the Metropolis. According to Dr. Frankland's analyses
published in the Registrar-General's Annual Summary for
1877, of all the Water supplied to the Metropolis, the
quantities of organic matter were, on an average, greatest
in the water supplied by the Southwark Company.
In conclusion, it cannot but be highly gratifying to