View report page

106
comply with the notices as originally served, whilst, in the
remaining 7, convictions were obtained (including one closing
order).
Other Inspections.
The work in connection with disinfection, smoke abatement
factories and workshops, bakehouses, restaurants and dining
(coffee) rooms, and the carrying out of the Food and Drugs
Acts, is dealt with under special headings in this Report (vide
post).
SULPHUR IMPURITIES IN GAS.
Two Acts of Parliament (South Suburban Gas Act and
London Gas Act were passed on June 80th and August 4th, 1905,
respectively, dealing with sulphur impurities in gas and
making the Gas Companies no longer liable (as heretofore) to
any forfeiture by reason of the presence in the gas supplied of
sulphur impurities other than sulphuretted hydrogen. Formerly,
sulphur was not to exceed 22 grains from October 1st to
March 31st, and 17 grains from April 1st to September 30th,
in the 100 cubic feet of gas, on an average of 3 days. Sulphur
compounds (chief of which are sulphurous and sulphuric acids)
are the principal impurities of gas. Sulphurous and sulphuric
acids have a very destructive effect on vegetation, mortar,
and the softer kinds of building stones, but they do not
appear to have any known marked effect on healthy people,
though the sulphurous acid is a source of danger to persons
with weak or diseased lungs (vide report in Appendix pp. 47-48).
This change in scientific opinion is noteworthy as shewing
the different methods adopted to-day in dealing with trade
processes. The advantages to the Gas Companies of this
decision are far-reaching from a financial point of view, and
this, too, without apparent detriment to the Public Health. The
experiment will be watched with much interest by all concerned.