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73
Cow and Slaughter Houses, &c.—No cause of complaint
in regard to these premises has arisen during
the year. The regulations of last year are working
satisfactorily. Adulteration of Milk has been discovered,
however, and I would suggest for the protection of the
milk seller, as well as the buyer, that the cans should be
sealed at the premises, provided with a tap to draw off
the milk, and distinctly labelled new, or skimmed milk,
according to their contents.
The Water Supply.—Dr. Frankland, in his Annual
Report to the Registrar General on the Water Supply of
the Metropolis (Registrar General's Annual Summary, pp.
44-49), says: more than half of the water supplied by the
eight companies which supply the inner circle of London,
was often grossly polluted by sewage matters, and all
but a mere fraction of the remainder occasionally so
polluted. The Thames water was more polluted by
organic matters in 1880 than in any previous year of
which he has given the proportion. This was due to the
frequent flooding of the river, and the washing into it
of filthy matter from cesspools, sewers, &c. The
difference between the purity of a deep-well water and
the Thames is very striking (as 1263 to 393.) This
standard of impurity is much in excess of the quality of
potable water according to the opinion of the late River
Commissioners. I am glad to note, however, that the
Southwark and Vauxhall, and the Chelsea Companies
delivered the best filtered water of all the River Companies.
This question demands the earliest attention
on the part of the Government.
ALEXANDER WALKER, M.D.,
Medical Officer of Health for Putney and Roehampton.