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in proximity, it will be a simple matter to disinfect ' effectually,'
by super-heated steam, at any hour, all articles placed in the oven.
This is the more urgent, because our arrangement for such purpose
is, at the present time, certainly not effective, experiments having
conclusively proved that hot air penetrated so slowly into articles
which were submitted to be disinfected, that after three or four
hours' exposure at a temperature of 284° Fahr., a pillow was not
disinfected, and many articles submitted to so high a temperature
for so long a time would become damaged, if not absolutely
destroyed. On the other hand, it has been shown by Professor
Koch, that the various spores and germs which he submitted
to steam at a temperature of 221° Fahr. for three hours, were
entirely sterilized. He further found that leather was the only
substance which suffered by exposure to this mode of disinfection.
In the published report of the examination made by the late
Colonel Sir Francis Bolton, of the water supplied by the several
Metropolitan water companies during the month
The London of November, 1886,'the eminent official examiner
Water Supply says that, having regard to the " steady increase
"in the population of the urban and suburban
"districts supplied with water from the Thames by the Metro"politan
water companies, the time has now arrived for immediate
"action to be taken to purify the source of supply. The matter
"will not admit of any further delay, and the responsibility will
"be great upon those authorities and towns which persistently
"neglect to undertake works to free the river from contamination,
"should ever an outbreak of epidemic take place, and the fatal
"words ' too late ' be said,"
This question, concerning as it does an essential point in the
health of the inhabitants of the Metropolis, is one which, I hope,
will be at once taken up, with a view to speedy reform. Here it
may be mentioned that, in consequence of a report which I
presented to your Board during last quarter, your Board directed
that the small portion of the District which is not yet under the
constant system of water supply should be represented to the Local
Government Board, in accordance with the Act of Parliament, so
that the entire District might be supplied with water to the best
advantage.