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Pancras, are as likely to be efficiently vaccinated, now that in each
Parish there is but one public vaccinator, where formerly there were
eight!
Before concluding this Report, a few words will not be considered
out of place on the important subject of the Water Supply of the
Parish, which is dependent on three companies, viz., the "West Middlesex,"
the "Grand Junction," and the "Chelsea." We learn from
Professor Frankland's Annual Report that the water supplied by each
company was tested upon twelve occasions during the year, with a view
to ascertain with what degree of perfection the important process of
filtration was effected. The water of the West Middlesex Company was
found clear and transparent upon every occasion. The Grand Junction
Company's water was "slightly turbid" upon two occasions, while that of
the Chelsea Company was upon two occasions "slightly turbid," upon
two other occasions "very turbid,"—so muddy, indeed, as to be entirely
unfit for domestic purposes, and clear and transparent on eight occasions.
The water of the West Middlesex Company alone was perfectly filtered;
but that of the Grand Junction Company exhibited marked improvement
upon former years. Living organisms were found in the Chelsea
water on two occasions, and in the Grand Junction water, once. The
average proportion of solid impurity, and of organic matter, was considerably
less, however, in 1870, than in the previous year. The companies
appear to have paid considerable attention to the improvement
of the water supplied by them; nevertheless, it is a general and a
growing feeling, that the water supply of the Metropolis should be
placed under the control of a public and independent Board—an object
that can hardly fail to be realized within the next few years. The
quantity of water supplied for domestic use appears to be sufficient, on
an average, viz., 25 gallons per diem to every person in the Metropolis;
but the means of storage in many of the crowded houses of the poor, is
both bad in character, and insufficient in amount. Where, therefore, an