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mentioned as having any weight in the granting of
licences. Much will however depend upon the byelaws
and regulations to be put into force by the
Metropolitan Board of Works.
4.— The amended Alkali Act extends the power of
inspector and sub-inspectors, under the Alkali Act,
with respect to noxious gases, other than muriatic acid,
viz.:— sulphuric acid, sulphurous acid (other than
from the combustion of coals) nitric acid, sulphuretted
hydrogen and chlorine; and for this provision is made
(in addition to using the best practical means for
rendering all these gases harmless) that every alkali
work shall secure the condensation of muriatic acid to
such an extent that each cubic foot of air shall not
contain more than one-fifth part of a grain of muriatic
acid.
Analysis of Air and Water.
The principle here acknowledged in relation to
sanitary inspection is very important. The examination
and analysis of air and water, polluted or made
unwholesome by any cause, lies at the root of evils
which have never yet been properly dealt with by
statutary authority. Analysis of air, like water analysis,
must sooner or later be relied upon, and its chemical
and microscopical examination put forward as a crucial
test for dangers arising from bad ventilation of rooms,
sewers, and work-shops, and for demonstrating other
sources of mischief, having their origin from the foul
atmosphere in and about dwellings, or in towns with
a high density of population.