View report page

12
and it is on this, that the influence of water in
promoting epidemics mainly depends. Hence in the Cholera
of 1854, when the Company drew their supply three miles
higher up the Lea, a great decrease of mortality (in comparison
with that of 1849) occurred in those districts which they supplied,
e.g., in our own. Were the Company to employ the
softening process of Professor Clark "expelling chalk by
chalk," many degrees of hardness, and most of the organic
matter would be removed. In the absence of that advantage,
boiling, and filtering through animal charcoal, are the most
approved means. As to individual allowance, the present
intermittent standpipe supply, common to many houses and
courts, is decidedly below the requirements of health. In
such cases, each standpipe should have a tap, and be on the
main. This would, in great measure, supersede its storage in
dirty vessels and butts.
Provisions.
Hitherto, neither complaints nor seizures of provisions
have been made. As with drinking waters, so, I believe,
with the perishable articles of fish, fruit, and vegetables, much
harm is done, in the poorer districts, by costermongers and
small dealers, storing their wares under the beds, and in close
dirty rooms. In respect of adulteration, it has been suggested
by the Select Committee of the House of Commons, that
"one or more scientific analysers be delegated by the Board
of Health, to whom local authorities might refer any article
seized under suspicion of adulteration," and that "these
analysers should also undertake to examine any articles sent
to them by private individuals."
Places of Interment.
The Jews' Burial Grounds, which have still a good deal
of unoccupied ground, will be finally closed this year. Of
the Victoria Park Cemetery, the state of which was noticed