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114
experienced in preventing nuisance from accumulations of offensive
matters coming under the general description refuse. The
difficulty is common to all parts of the Metropolis, and calls for
legislative interference for its abatement. With a view to such
steps being taken I brought the subject under the notice of the
Society of Medical Officers of Health in 1880, the result being
that a special Committee, consisting of the Medical Officers of
Health for the City (Dr. W. Sedgwick Saunders); St. Pancras
(Mr. Shirley Murphy); Marylebone (Mr. Wynter Blyth); and
Kensington, with Dr. Alfred Carpenter, of Croydon, was appointed
to consider and report—
"On the best and most convenient ways of dealing with
animal and vegetable trade refuse, e.g., from slaughter houses,
fishmongers, poulterers, and greengrocers shops, &c., with a view
to its collection, removal, and ultimate disposal, whether by
utilization or destruction."
On the suggestion of Dr. W. Sedgwick Saunders, the subject
of house refuse was added to the reference, and at a later time,
when I had had recent and very acute experience of the difficulties
of the manure question (vide page 113), the reference was still
further enlarged by the addition of "stable and cowshed refuse
In due course the Committee, which did me the honour to appoint
me their Chairman, presented a report, which having been considered
by the Society at a meeting specially called for the
purpose in June this year, was unanimously adopted as follows:—
Report of the Society of Medical Officers of Health.
" The Committee appointed to consider—
1. The best and most convenient method of dealing with
animal and vegetable trade refuse (e.g. from slaughterhouses,
fishmongers, poulterers, greengrocers' shops, etc.),
with a view to its collection, removal, and ultimate disposal,
whether by utilization or otherwise;
2. The collection and disjwsal of house refuse; and
3. The collection and disposal of stable and cowshed refuse,