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9
234 deaths took place from local diseases affecting the brain,
lungs, heart, intestines, &c., out of which
71 persons died of inflammatory diseases of the air passages.
65 deaths took place from developmental diseases.
19 died violent deaths.
2 died from causes not specified or ill defined.
Water Supply.
In my first report to the Board of Works, dated January,
1856, and in the last published report for the year 1864, as
well as at other times, I directed your attention to the importance
of a supply of pure water.
In both these reports I also directed your attention to the
certain connection between tainted water and cholera, and
endeavoured to show you that although at all times disease of
thix kind was not to be looked for as a result of imbibing
impure water, still that poisons contained in water were introduced
into the system in such a subtle form, and in such an
unobserved manner, that extreme danger was incurred, and
diseases introduced into the system which might be avoided,
if the supply of water were pure.
This subject still demands very serious consideration.
Tnder tho present system of water supply the means of
contamination are two-fold. 1st, there is danger lest the
source of supply should be contaminated (for this danger the
companies must be held responsible); 2nd, there is danger
from the decomposition and contamination of water in the
receptacles used for storage. Of this latter source of danger
1 have had abundant evidence, as it is quite the exception to
find cisterns clean, properly covered, and unconnected with
watercloset contamination; indeed you are well aware of the
very frequent complaints on this head which have come
before you; and the only remedy which I think would be at
all effectual would be a continuous supply.
A number of details would have to be considered in affording
a supply of this kind, as to iron piping instead of lead,
iron water waste preventing taps, and occasional supervision.
I feel convinced that this kind of supply would be
productive of saving to the water companies by preventing