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been enabled, during the last three months, to repeatedly inspect most of
the worst places in the District, and to obtain a speedy removal of the
frequently recurring nuisances in them.
In consequence of the existence of the Cattle Plague, the inspectors
and myself have paid repeated visits to the several cow-sheds in the
district, and we have endeavoured to enforce the observance of the utmost
possible cleanliness and the use of disinfectants, yet, I am sorry to say,
that notwithstanding our efforts, the cattle plague has extensively prevailed,
and has attacked every cow-shed, with one exception, in the
district, Regardless of the great loss of property occasioned by this
disease, nearly all the cow-keepers have made application for the renewal
of the annual license, a circumstance to be regretted, inasmuch as it is
highly probable that, in the course of a few years, no cow-shed will be
permitted to exist in any of the crowded districts in London. In my
Report for October, 1856, I classed cow-sheds among the principal causes
of ill-health, and the high rate of mortality in crowded districts; and in the
next following Report, I stated that cows cannot be kept in London without
occasioning more or less nuisance to persons living in their immediate
vicinity. I also stated that the smell arising from the manure, urine, brewers'
grains and distillers' wash, is very offensive, and injurious to the public health,
and that the atmosphere of a cow-shed, as ordinarily conducted in London,
is injurious to the health of the cows. I further added that it would be
most desirable to prohibit the keeping of cows in all densely-populated
cities and towns. I see no reason, from the experience I have gained
since that time, now nine years ago, to alter that opinion. While, however,
cow-sheds do exist, it is most desirable to limit the number of cows
in each shed, so that 1,000 cubic feet of space should be allowed for each
cow, and that neither a dung-pit nor a grain-pit should be placed within
the cow-shed. Where there is no space for a dung-pit, except within the
cow-shed, then the manure should be collected twice or oftener Eevery day,
put into covered casks, and removed off the premises. In my last Report
on the subject of cow-sheds (1864), I stated that I had informed all the
cow-keepers, that unless the whole of the dung were removed regularly,
at least three times every week, in conformity with the printed instructions
of the Board, I should advise the Board to oppose the granting of the
annual license. This order of the Board has, in several instances, not
been carried out, and some of the cow-keepers have also so misconducted
their business, that their premises have been a nuisance to the neighbourhood.
I have therefore advised that the application for certain licenses
should be opposed. The object of an annual license for the carrying on
the business of a cow-keeper, and also that of a slaughterer of cattle is,
that during the holding of the license, the premises should be kept in as
good a sanitary condition as the nature of the businesses will permit, and
if not so conducted, then the license should be withheld, for it is manifestly
a sham if the license is to be granted merely because immediately
before the licensing day, the premises are white-washed. Before any