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well constructed and lined with cement throughout, there is no certainty
that percolation of excrementitious matter should not take place
into the well. This might easily be an unsuspected source of danger
to the customers of the dairy, which is one of the largest and best
conducted in the parish.
The other well is in Sclater street, on the premises of Mr. Jones.
In this case the pump is fifteen feet from the dung pit, which is of
very ordinary construction, and the liquid portion of the manure may
easily (and very probably does) find its way into the well.
The water from both of these wells has been frequently submitted
to a careful microscopical examination. Each specimen, after standing
for twenty-four hours in a tall glass jar, gave a considerable deposit,
which, upon examination, was found to consist of the debris of animal
and vegetable life, with numerous ciliated infusorial forms, the presence
of which (in the opinion of most authorities) is proof conclusive of
sewage contamination. I should strongly advise that specimens be
submitted to Dr. Tidy for chemical analysis, and should his opinion
confirm mine, proceedings could be taken to cause both these wells
to be closed, as being injurious to health.
The next dairy to which I have specially to refer is that of Mr.
Mansfield, of 7½, Digby street. I will here simply transcribe my
report upon the matter to the sanitary committee:—
"The cow house is a shed at the end of a large yard, the said yard being used as
a shoot for dust and vegetable refuse from Mile End parish. This had not (at
the time of my visit) been removed for the past two months, and its condition may
be more readily imagined than described. The cow shed is sufficiently large and
lofty, but has no windows, only some small gratings. The temperature (though it
was a very cold day) was extremely high, and the ventilation simply nil. The paving
of the shed is uneven, and the drain choked. There is no dung pit, the dust heap
in the yard being used for the purpose. The paving of the outside yard is very
uneven. The water is on the constant supply, a large iron tank being used for
storage, the sides of which are covered with confervoid growth. This water,
however, is not used for the cows: they are supplied with distiller's wash instead.
Mr. Mansfield keeps one pig."
My recommendation to the committee was to the effect, that Mr.
Mansfield should be allowed the option of giving up either his dust
business or his dairy, as the conjunction of the two upon the same
premises is most dangerous to the public health.