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78
for the English-speaking race of all classes the less pleasant to
contemplate.
The rapid urbanisation of our population makes it increasingly
important to measure by every means at our command the effect
of the changed conditions upon the health and physique of the
people; and there is no more promising field of enquiry to this
end than that which has been opened by the observations now
reported.
WATER SUPPLY.
The principal fact calling for comment in connection with
the water supply of the district is the transfer of authority from
the West Middlesex Water Company to the Metropolitan Water
Board. It is to be hoped that now that the control of the water
supply has been transferred to a public representative body, the
iniquitous system of cutting off the water supply of the rate
defaulters will be abolished.
No grosser menace to the public health can be conceived than
this atrocious custom. Were the Council to sever the drainage
system of a house from its sewers as a means of putting pressure
on defaulting ratepayers, they would be guilty of a less dangerous
practice than is entailed in depriving a modern house of its water
supply.
SEWAGE TREATMENT.
No change in the treatment of the sewage in the Brent area
has occurred during the year. As before, the treatment consists
of chemical precipitation and sedimentation in tanks, filtration