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the pipe of a gas stove burning 7 or 8 feet per hour, and found
that it contained large quantities of sulphuric acid, and was
very corrosive, at least as much so as that produced by the
small flame. It will be observed that neither of the three
gentlemen quoted by the Gas Company produce any practical
proof of their assertion that sulphurous acid gas is the product
of the combustion of the sulphur in coal gas. I have searched
for it in vain, while the sulphuric acid is always abundant.
Dr. Odling's theory that the air contains ammonia enough to
neutralize all sulphuric acid formed, even it' true, of very
crowded rooms, is certainly not so of ordinary sitting rooms.
I would call especial attention to Dr. Letheby's reply to
Dr. Odling, reported in the same journal as the lecture,
showing that even at that time, practical men did not agree
with his theories.*
2nd.—Can the sulphur be removed ? The best answer to
this is, that at the present time the gas with which the City
of London is supplied contains on an average only 12 grains
of sulphur per 100 cubic feet. That which for many years
was supplied by the Great Central Company contained even
less. The question of what can be done with the present
plant of the Company, is not one on which I think we are
bound to enter. In 1860 the Company entered into an
agreement to supply gas containing only 20 grains of sulphur
to 100 cubic feet, and during all the succeeding years they
might have quietly made the necessary alterations in their
plant without any undue pressure ; that they have not made
the attempt to carry out their agreement is no reason for now
sparing them. The assertion that the Act of 1860 has never
been acted upon is only partly true. The City took action
against one of the Companies supplying it, shortly after the
Act came into full operation, and Dr. Letheby (the Gas
Examinier to the City at that time) was prepared with abundant
proof of the corrosive effects of the sulphuric acid generated.
* Nore.- They reply given in Appendix, p. 25.