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Mains. All the river water had therefore been efficiently filtered.
The proportion of organic matter in the Metropolitan waters
is more within the control of the Companies than is commonly
supposed. Large storage reservoirs enable them to shut out
the waters from the rivers when they arc in flood, and carrying
down the scourings of ditches and sewers, and the washing of
cultivated fields. Storage in reservoirs before filtration effects a
large amount of purification by subsidence, which renders the
subsequent purification by filtration considerably more perfect.
The Companies which possess the greatest storage capacity are
the East London, New River, and West Middlesex.
The Companies which possess the most perfect filtering apparatus,
are the New River, West Middlesex, and Southwark. It is
but fair to state that the Southwark and Yauxhall Company have
done their best to perfect their filtering apparatus, and rank
amongst the best in London. They have also increased the capacity
of their subsidence reservoirs.
I again take the opportunity of drawing your attention to the
right use of disinfectants, more particularly of the disinfection of the
sick-chamber and articles contained therein. Dr. Letheby, one of
the most able and experienced Medical Officers of Health, advises that
all matters discharged from the body should be received in a vessel
containing active disinfectants, in the proportion of about half a
pint of either a solution of 4 ozs. of Carbolic Acid to a gallon of
water, or a solution of 2 lbs. of Sulphate of Iron in a gallon of
water; that all articles of clothing should be boiled in water, or
plunged into boiling water, before they are taken from the room;
and in addition to this, that they should be steeped in a solution
of Carbolic Acid of the above-mentioned strength.
When the room is vacated, disinfection may be practised with the
most perfect success. All the articles contained in such a room
should be spread out so us to receive freely Sulphurous Acid fumes
which are to be generated therein, and having closed the windows,
and stopped up as completely as possible every aperture and outlet,
measures should be taken for providing the needful quantity of
Sulphurous Acid. One ounce and a half of Sulphur should be used
for every 100 cubic feet of space. The Sulphur may be burnt in a