Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington]
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merely as a sentimental objection to the present sources
of supply, but also as a danger to health. Hitherto, however,
the oral evidence has not shown—either by reference to
outbreaks of disease, or by statistics of disease-prevalence
in the districts supplied by the Companies—any injury to
health resulting from the use of the river waters. Testimony
has been borne to the success of the Companies' endeavours
to improve the filtration of the water, which is all the more
remarkable having regard to the evidence adduced as to the
pollution of the rivers by sewage, manure, trade refuse, &c.,
in contravention of the provisions of the Rivers Pollution
Prevention Act, which, in the interests of public health and
decency, should be enforced with the utmost strictness.
GAS.
The subjoined Tables, based on the quarterly reports of
the Chief Gas Examiner, summarize the principal results
(averages) of the daily testings, at the Ladbroke Grove
Station, of the "common gas" manufactured by the Gas
Light and Coke Company at their Kensal Green Works.
1.
Maximum. | Minimum. | Average. | |
---|---|---|---|
Quarter ended March 31st | 17.7 | 16.0 | 16.4 |
Quarter ended June 30th | 17.2 | 16.1 | 16.5 |
Quarter ended September 30th | 16.8 | 16.1 | 16.4 |
Quarter ended December 31st | 17.0 | 16.0 | 16.4 |
Averages, whole year | 17.2 | 16.0 | 16.4 |
It appears from these results, that the average illuminating
power of the gas, at the station, was higher than
the Parliamentary standard, and that, excepting on one
occasion, the minimum was above the requirements.