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"2. The oxidation of the combustible matter in the
"material fed into the Destructor is complete, and the
"gaseous products of combustion are inoffensive.
"3. The gaseous products of combustion are sensibly
"free from any suspended matter by the time they pass
"into the flue to the chimney.
"4. The clinker is well burnt and free from offensive
"half-charred carbonaceous matter.
"Even when working with a wet sewage cake and poor
"house refuse, the Destructor generates more heat than can
"be used with the present plant at Leyton.
"We examined one of the cells in its cold condition, and
" were unable to discover any signs of wear or abrasion.
"We therefore consider that your Destructor provides an
"efficient and economical method of destroying the refuse
"of towns without injury to the neighbourhood. So far as
"we are aware, it is the only form of furnace yet adopted
"capable of burning a considerable proportion of Sewage
"Sludge—even when containing, as in this case, a high
"percentage of moisture."
In conclusion, Gentlemen, I think I may safely say that the
Health of the District is fairly satisfactory.
The Death-rate remains about the same; the amount of
sickness does not increase out of proportion to the population ; the
Fever Hospital is working satisfactorily and has been a great boon,
and we have been free from any serious epidemic.
I hope that the points I have urged in this Report, especially
those dealing with the Drainage, may have the best attention of
your Council, for I am anxious that every help should be afforded
to our Sanitary Department in view of the thickly-populated District
we are rapidly becoming, and the corresponding increase of the
amount of sickness, infectious or otherwise, that must necessarily be
expected.
I am, Gentlemen,
Your obedient servant,
A. F. PESKETT,
March, 1898.
Medical Officer of Health.