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25
Smallpox.
Smallpox has appeared among the denizens of Common
Lodging Houses and Workhouses in the Metropolis. In
this district there have been but two cases up to date and
it is improbable that there will be any considerable extension.
The experience of many years clearly shows that a
community, save under exceptional circumstances is reasonably
safe from epidemic, unless there is a large increase of
cases in April, the maximum of epidemicity falling in the
month of May.
Prosecutions under the Public Health Act.
The owner of 13, King Street, was proceeded against
for failing to carry out a notice to drain the premises and a
Magistrate's order obtained. Subsequently the defendant was
arrested and imprisoned for non-payment of rates, and the
enforcement of the order has to await his release.
The owner of 39, Townshend Road, was summoned for
failure to comply with a notice to re-drain the premises.
The Magistrate adjourned the case for the work to be done.
Sale of Food and Drugs Act.
The usual large number of samples were taken during
the quarter, as set forth in detail in Table IX. Of the 153
samples, four were certified to be adulterated, three of the
samples were milk, one sample was butter. The latter
contained a small percentage of water above the limit and
it was thought, under the circumstances, sufficient to
acquaint the trader with the fact and to warn him to cease
selling an article slightly below standard, the same course
was taken with one of the samples of milk.
In another case in which the milk was certified to be
diluted with 8 percent. of water, the legal adviser discovered
a flaw in the procedure of taking the sample and the case
was not further proceeded with, but the vendor will be
watched and other samples taken from time to time.
James Bush, of 25, Townshend Road, was fined £10
and £3 3s. costs for selling milk diluted with 19 per cent. of
water.