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was, containing 15.92 grains of inorganic, and .80 grains of organic
matter per gallon. But there is room for vast improvement in
the increase of quantity, which is still very deficient in the courts
and alleys. A great source of evil lies in the existence of underground
cisterns, in which the water is stored in some of the courts,
being pumped up as required. In two instances, the contents of
these cisterns were most foul and offensive, and actually contained
portions of human excrement recognizable by the microscope. So
long as these are allowed to exist, tbere can be no certainty of the
water not becoming contaminated with the contents of surcharged,
obstructed, or imperfect drains; and those who drink it, run great
risk of suffering severely from cholera, diarrhoea, and other zymotic
diseases.
Cow-houses.—During the year, there have been great complaints
regarding nuisances arising from the cow-houses; and it is to be
regretted that these establishments are not removed into more
open spots, beyond the metropolis, or that their management is not
under control and regular supervision.
Slaughter-houses.—The condition of the slaughter-houses is
good, and the improvements effected preparatory to the granting
of the licenses, have been considerable.
TJrinals.—A great deficiency of these exists in the district, and
several are required. These should not be placed in out-of the way
situations, but where they could easily be seen by persons looking
for them; nor should they be placed against houses, where the
urine would soak through the walls. They could be kept sweet
by daily flushing and white-washing with chloride of lime and
water, without incurring the enormous expense of a constant
flushing with simple water.
Nuisances removed.—During the year the large number of 386
cesspools have been destroyed, and the closets properly panned and
trapped, and 150 houses have been properly drained. In addition,
a few (far too few) houses have been cleansed and lime-whited,
some water-butts cleansed, and several accumulations of refuse,
foul bones, (fee. removed.
One manufactory, both a nuisance and the cause of injury to
health, has been removed from the district; two others, at least
nuisances, have also been removed; and improvements, sometimes at
a great cost, have been effected in others, which were the source
of great complaint and injury. It deserves to be mentioned, that
with very few exceptions, the nuisances have been removed simply
under the serving of the notices issued by the Vestry, and without
the employment of legal proceedings.
The detailed manner in which I noticed the causes of injury to
health and increased mortality in my last Report, renders it unnecessary
to dwell upon them here. Although great improvements