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Morgan Evans, 1, Somerford-street.
William North, 18, Blythe-street.
Emma Maddams, 23, Old Castle-street.
William Rees, 45, Somerford-street.
John Henry Lockyer, 8, Minerva-street.
In the cases of Mr. Richards, of Cambridge-road, and Mr. Jones, of
Sclater-street, the renewal of the licenses was opposed on the ground that
the water supply was defective, both having surface wells in dangerous
contiguity to the dung pits on their premises. I had previously reported
to the Vestry as to the condition of these wells, and advised samples of
the water being submitted to Dr. Tidy for analysis. This was accordingly
done, and Dr. Tidy presented the following report, fully confirming my
opinion as to the dargerous condition of the water:—
48, Queen Ann Street, Cavendish Square, W.,
11th September, 1876.
REPORT on two samples of water received from Dr. G. P. Bate (for Bethnal Green
Board), of Bethnal Green, at the Laboratory of the London Hospital Medical
College, Turner street, Whitechapel, London, on the 9th day of August, 1876,
and contained in two Winchester quart bottles, duly tied down, sealed, and labelled
Bethnal Green Well Water, B and C.
They were both slightly turbid, and of a green tint when examined in large bulk in a
two-foot tube.
Sample B contained 138.679 grains per gallon, and sample C 86.573 grains, and the
various constituents of which their quantities are composed are stated in a table below.
The hardness before boiling of sample B was 78.0 degrees, and after boiling this was
reduced to 32 degrees. In sample C the initial hardness was 40 degrees, and this by
boiling was reduced to 23 degrees.
I append (in black figures) for purposes of comparison the analysis of a sample of New
River Water as supplied to the public.
Without entering into any detail of the results of the analysis, I may say that the
examination proves that these waters are derived from surface wells, and that they are
enormously loaded with the products of sewage. I have, therefore, no hesitation in
advising the Vestry that these wells should be immediately closed, the water being
dangerously polluted.
C. MEYMOTT TIDY, M.A., M.B., M.S.,
Professor of Chemistry and of Medical Jurisprudence and Public
Health at the London Hospital; Medical Officer of Health and
Public Analyst for Islington; and late Deputy Medical Officer
of Health for the City of London.