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great sanitary as well as pecuniary capital is now lying comparatively idle. It is
eminently desirable that as much of this work as possible should be accomplished
before the summer, when the disturbance and exposure of foecal matter are seldom
unattended with danger.
The Gas-Supply—During the winter months especially, a large portion of
town populations lives for several hours every day in an atmosphere exposed to
deterioration and empoisonment by the combustion of gas. As the injurious properties
of air so altered are more or less due to the greater or less impurity of
the gas, as supplied to the public, I have felt it desirable to institute an examination
of the gas consumed in Shoreditch. This is supplied by the Independent
Gas-Works, at Haggerstone; I have at various times lately, tested the gas both
at the Works, and elsewhere, for the ordinary impurities. The result is, upon the
whole, satisfactory. On no occasion have I found a trace of carbonic acid, or
sulphuretted hydrogen; there was however, a certain amount of ammonia. This
impurity is objectionable because it is apt to carry with it certain tarry compounds,
I have not however, obtained any tarry film on the surface of water
through which the gas was made to pass even for a considerable time. The presence
of ammonia induced me to examine in a similar manner the gas supplied by three
other companies. The first of these gave no trace of carbonic acid or sulphuretted
hydrogen, but like the gas of the Independent company, it yielded ammonia;
the second gas yielded ammonia likewise, and, to my surprise, a very large amount
of carbonic acid, and a distinct film of tarry matter; the third gas, derived from
Cannel-coal, and supplied at six shillings the thousand cubic feet, also yielded
ammonia. In an elaborate examination of the gas of six different companies, by
Dr. Letheby, in 1854, ammonia was found in every instance; it must therefore
be inferred that the purifying processes commonly in use, are not sufficient to
ensure the separation of this ingredient. I am however, assured that efforts that
promise to be successful will be made immediately in order to effect this separation.
The illuminating-power was considerably greater than the standard required to
be maintained by the Great Central Company: The pressure is 2.50 inches after
day-light. In reference to this subject, I wish to advert to the fact, that the
purest gas which it is possible to manufacture, must always be injurious to
health if burnt in rooms where there is not a free escape for the products