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47
represented by the figure 166, or the ratio between the two deathrates
is as 100 to 166. Adopting the same method in Table 3 the
ratio is as 100:99, and these latter figures represent the ratio that
generally exists between the death-rate of London and Hackney.
Upon the effects of the scarcity, I must remark, in the first
place, that an insufficient supply of pure water may be of such
a degree as to amount only to an inconvenience; on the other
hand it may be so great as to become a positive injury to the public
health. The extent of such injury involves the question of
adequate and proper storage upon the premises; and to a certain
extent the provision of what is deemed proper storage, would modify
the results of an intermittent supply, but not wholly, for there are
dangers attaching to the storage of drinking water upon the premises.
Therefore, where no provision for such storage has been made we
might expect to see the evil results of an insufficient supply of
water in their fullest extent. And there are districts in Hackney
where such a provision is altogether absent.
There is another point which ought to be mentioned. At the
beginning the water supply was cut off at night only, then the
day's supply was shortened to three hours. This continued for
rather more than two weeks, after which it was again increased,
and finally restored. The whole period between the first reduction
of the constant service, and its restoration was about two and a half
months, but the period during which the results would naturally
be most apparent would be the two or three weeks of scantiest
supply.
Again, a paucity of water may affect a community in several
ways. Firstly, it might result in a resort to impure sources to
make up for the deficiency and so injuriously affect the health. For
instance, if those dwelling near the river Lea used that water for
drinking, or if recourse were made to the water of shallow wells, of
which there are several in Hackney, the health of the sufferers would
very probably suffer. Secondly, a constant and plenteous supply of