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29
above the point of intake. Some such contamination may, of
course, be derived from cesspools situated at a higher level than the
underground source of supply, but analysis does not reveal any
such pollution. It is extremely desirable that the Thames
should not in the future be the source from which our supply of
drinking water is obtained.
By the constant supply, with the more rigid supervision as
to waste, which is the invariable and necessary complement, the
Water Company will save enormous quantities of water; such
being the experience obtained in other districts in which
constant service has existed for some time. The sewers will
receive a correspondingly smaller quantity of water, which in
dry and hot weather may possibly be of serious consequence ; it
being of the highest importance that their contents should always
be flowing, and never stagnant, in order to avert the formation of
the so-called sewer gases.
Cow and The whole of these premises have been inspected
Slaughter . .
Houses. from time to time, and the prescribed cleansing and
lime washing carried out. It has not been necessary to oppose
the renewal of any license.
Bake- The Bakehouses have been subjected to similar
supervision, and their sanitary condition is in striking
contrast to that which existed some years ago. The more
modern Bakehouses have generally been built above ground,
and it is desirable that the building of underground Bakehouses
should be prohibited for the future. Apart from the desirability
of such factories being above ground, thus probably ensuring
greater cleanliness in the manufacture of bread, there are several
cases on record of workmen being asphyxiated by the carbonic
acid gas which is evolved in large volume during its fermentation,
some being within my own knowledge; as the workers
in cold weather frequently close all apertures by which ventilation
might be effected and go to sleep during the setting of the
sponge, the result being fatal asphyxia from poisoning by
carbonic acid gas, which being heavier than the air, by its
greater ponderosity will drive out the latter from basements if
proper through ventilation be arrested.