tribunal where, under more favourable circumstances, it would have had a chance of rejection or of radical improvement. In saying this, I would not derogate from the credit due to the House of Lords for amendments which, at the urgent solicitation of myself and others, were moved and adopted.'

We would here observe that, although Dr. Dudfield, in common with many other metropolitan health officers, is favourable to the abolition of private slaughter-houses, there are others, and not a few, who have had an infinitely more lengthened experience of the subject than he has, who think that the substitution of local public abbattoirs for private slaughter-houses would be attended with but little or no sanitary advantages, whilst public convenience would suffer from the change. Assuming all the sanitary arrangements and regulations of private slaughter-houses to be unexceptional-and there is no reason why they should not be compulsorily made so it appears difficult to understand how public health can be prejudicially affected by them, whilst it is very certain there are occasions when we have to be thankful that they exist. On some few days during the past autumn, and not unfrequently during the summer, the condition of the weather and state of the temperature was such as to render butcher's meat unfit for food within twenty-six hours, or even less, after the animal was slaughtered; and but for the fact that our purveyor killed on Saturday night to oblige us and his other customers, we must have gone without meat for our Sunday's dinner. We are also aware that it is the opinion of many competent per sons that the proposed alteration is but getting rid of a considerable number of petty nuisances, and erecting in their stead a smaller number of very great ones, and when it is suggested that local abbattoirs should be erected, we would ask Dr. Dudfield where in the aristocratic parishes of Kensington, Paddington, or St. George's can proper and convenient sites for such erections be obtained? Taking Dr. Dudfield's report as a whole, we find it replete with useful information, and one which all who are interested in vital statistics may study with advantage. He appears to have left nothing unnoticed which comes within the range of his official duties, and this we take as a sure indication that his heart is in his work.

NORTHAMPTON.

MR. HAVILAND, Medical Officer of Health to the combined sanitary authorities in the counties of Northampton, Leicester, Rutland, and Bucks, has made an abstract of his annual report, and this mere extract occupies more than two long columns of the Northampton Mercury's smallest type.

To abstract an abstract is both a hard, and unsatisfactory task. Especially is such the case with Mr. Haviland's report, and all persons who wish to study a thoroughly representative report by a representative man, should procure a copy of the Northampton Mercury for July 18.

From that report we learn that the 'delegates' meet quarterly, and this practice should be the rule, and not as it now is, the exception, with all combined sanitary authorities. Next session, it is hoped, will see 'delegates' endowed with legal and permanent appointment and functions. At present the Local Government Board will not even recognise their appointment of medical officers of health until each authority has individually and specially signi

fied officially their acceptance of the choice their representatives have made.

Mr. Haviland first of all has collected the relative or proportional mortality within his districts for ten years before the passing of the Public Health Act, viz., the ten years 1861-1870. To render this collection more perfect, three districts not within the combined jurisdiction, are taken, viz., Peterborough, Kettering, and Brixworth. This (in the report itself) is illustrated with remarkable facility by means of coloured maps. Next Mr. Haviland expresses himself wisely and decidedly against 'loop-holes' in Sanitary Acts of Parliament, and hopes for the time when 'may' shall mean 'must,' and all rural sanitary authorities will be endowed with powers 'equivalent at least to those now enjoyed by the urban.' Typhoid fever is, Mr. Haviland thinks, one of the hot indicators of the sanitary condition of a place, and he therefore devotes considerable attention to the details of its death and prevalence returns. As to the intimate connection between phthisis and dampness, most important facts are enumerated and valuable advice given.

Typhoid fever Mr. Haviland evidently deems to be both infectious and contagious, and he instances a peculiarly painful case which occurred in a school in one of his districts. A servant of the house washed

a typhoid corpse. She fell ill and died. The mistress, after a fashion, disinfected the room, etc. Soon afterwards a pupil who slept in the same bed sickened and died. One chief lesson taught by this case being never to trust disinfection to any but skilled hands.

One sentence, true and applicable to many towns, must be quoted-it is in reference to a part of Northampton. 'Unfortunately the town has extended beyond the north bank of the river, where drainage is almost impracticable; in fact, it may be safely said that Northampton has placed its dead where the living ought to be housed, and the living where the dead ought to be buried.' When Omnia sanitas' is really the motto of a Ministry, then we may hope that swamps will not be permitted to be converted into towns or parts of towns.

At Newport Pagnel the authorities not only encourage the earth and ash-closet system, but have also commenced a regular system of scavenging, 'an example worthy of imitation by every rural sanitary authority in the kingdom.' Much space is devoted to the water question, and Mr. Haviland is evidently anxious to render the earth and ashcloset system universal, in order, amongst other things, to save the water from excremental pollution. Sir Henry Leyden's cottages at Canon's Ashby are especially commended as model dry closets.

As we before stated, it is impossible to abstract this valuable abstract of a report and at the same time do justice to its merits. The essence of its tabular part may be summed up thus. You have been visited with many plagues-especially typhoidbut one and all have been caused, or excited, or influenced by causes under your own control. It is to be hoped that the sanitary authorities in combination will accept and follow the advice so practically laid before them in detail by Mr. Haviland.

Mr. Dykes's report and several others have been received and will be noticed immediately.

G. BAKER was summoned for selling milk adulterated with 12 per cent. of water. Fined 2s. 6d. and the costs.

Parliamentary Proceedings.

SECOND READINGS.

Agricultural Labourers' Dwellings (Ireland), Wednesday, March10; Coroners' (Ireland), May 12; Infanticide, May 12; Labourers' Cottages (Scotland), May 26; Public Health, March 11.

HOUSE OF LORDS.

(Monday, March 1.)

WATER-SUPPLY OF LONDON. EARL CADOGAN asked whether it was the intention of Her Majesty's Government to take any steps or introduce any measure during the present Session with a view to obtaining a better and purer supply of water for the metropolis. It was admitted that the water-supply of the capital was not what it should be, and it would not be till the water was obtained from other sources. The principal offender in respect to impure water had been the Chelsea Water Company. The quality of that company's supply had been condemned in several official reports which had been brought under the notice of the Local Government Board. The company had a bill at present before Parliament for the purpose of enabling them to effect certain improvements in their works, but he submitted that the Government should propose a measure to prevent the recurrence of a supply of water of the very bad quality of that respecting which there had been so much well-founded complaint.

Lord Belper was able to bear testimony to the fact that the water now supplied by the Chelsea Company was very unfit for domestic use.

The Duke of Richmond said that the subject of a better and purer supply of water for the metropolis was a very large one, and he must, in reply to his noble friend, say it was not the intention of the Government to propose such a measure as was suggested in his question. He was as much interested in the supply afforded by the Chelsea Company as any of their lordships, because he lived in that company's district, and he presumed that the bill which the company had now before Parliament contained in addition to other matters a provision for obtaining the supply from a spot higher up the Thames than that from which it was now drawn.

HOUSE OF COMMONS.
(Monday, March 1.)

CLEANSING FOOT-PAVEMENTS IN THE
METROPOLIS.

IN reply to Sir W. Fraser, Mr. Cross said he believed it was competent for any individual to proceed against the metropolitan vestries or district boards for non-fulfilment of their duty in this respect, either by indictment or application to the Court of Queen's Bench.

BURIALS IN WESTMINSTER ABBEY.

IN answer to Mr. Neville Grenville, Mr. Cross said he had been told that the average for the last twenty-two years did not exceed one interment ayear. Every possible precaution was taken, under the superintendence of the architect, to prevent the slightest danger to the fabric of the abbey or injury to the health of the persons who went there.

PUBLIC HEALTH BILL.

MR. SCLATER-BOOTH, in reply to Mr. Stevenson, said that he hoped this bill would be ready for distribution at the end of this week, or at the latest on Monday next. As to the Rivers Pollution Bill, he hoped to introduce it before Easter.

ADULTERATION OF IRISH WHISKY.

IN reply to Mr. O'Sullivan, the Chancellor of the Exchequer said the hon. member was wrong in supposing that he made a promise to put a stop to the adulteration of Irish whisky in her Majesty's customhouses. He made no promise, but spoke of a minute that had been issued which he thought might remove the objections raised. He had explained to the hon. member for Dublin (Mr. Brooks) that it was impossible for the custom-house to do more than they had done, namely, to place different brands on the casks of whisky, so as to distinguish the pure from the adulterated article.

(Wednesday, March 3.)

LOCAL GOVERNMENT (IRELAND) BILL. THE above bill was postponed, Mr. Kavanagh and Mr. Sullivan giving notice that they would, when it again came before the House, move that it be read a second time that day six months.

METROPOLITAN GAS.

SIR J. HOGG brought in a bill to amend the Metropolis Gas Act, 1860, to make further provisions for regulating the supply of gas within the limits of the said Act, and for other purposes.'

ARTISANS' DWELLINGS BILL.

MR. JAMES BARCLAY has given notice of his intention to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he intends to extend the Artisans' Dwellings Bill to Scotland; and, if so, when he expects to submit the clauses specially applicable to Scotland.

(Thursday, March 4.)

THE following notices of motion have been given on the Artisans' Dwellings Bill by Mr. Muntz: That it is expedient to make such provisions in the bill as would allow purchasers or lessees of areas referred to in clauses 5 and 7 to provide accommodation for persons of the working classes to be displaced in such areas, in such places other than the areas as might, after due investigation, be sanctioned by the local authorities. By Mr. Cawley: That the bill be referred to a select committee; and by Sir James Hogg: That the bill be read a second time upon this day six months.

Law Reports.

ADULTERATED SULPHUR.

selling adulterated precipitated sulphur. E. S. INSULL, chemist, Hanley, was charged with The Bench at first imposed a fine of 57. and costs, but on an appeal from the prosecution, who represented that the defendant had not been long in business, and that the sulphur was usually sold in the form complained of, the Bench reduced the fine to 10s. and costs, altogether 31. 3s. 6d.

VACCINATION PROSECUTION.

AT Banbury about twenty anti-vaccinationists have been summoned for refusing to have their children vaccinated. Mr. C. Gillett, of Banbury, a banker, was the first. He made the usual objections, but the magistrates told him that they could only administer the law, and ordered him to have his child vaccinated within a month.

ADULTERATED ARROWROOT.

AT the Hammersmith Police Court, G. Kirby, of Montpelier Street, Brompton, has been summoned by the Kensington Vestry for selling adulterated arrowroot. The clerk produced the certificate of the analyst, showing an adulteration of twenty-five per cent. starch.The defendant said he purchased the arrowroot at a wholesale house, and believed it was pure.-Mr. Bridge said it was a serious thing to adulterate arrowroot, as it was used by invalids. Fined 15s. and costs.

NEGLIGENT STOKING.

H. HATFIELD and D. Sheen, in the service of Mr. Bailey, Fulham Pottery, were summoned for negligently using furnaces so as not effectually to consume the smoke. The government engineer said he made an inspection in January. The furnaces were smoking badly, but when he had them charged there was very little smoke. Sheen was fined 10s. last year. The pottery was surrounded by houses. The magistrate said if the men worked the furnaces properly there would not be any smoke. He fined Hatfield 10s. and costs, and Sheen 15s. and costs.

THE SMELL OF ORANGES.

AT the Glasgow Police Court, before Bailie Millar, Messrs. Machin and Park, fruit brokers, were charged with keeping a quantity of fruit or vegetable matter in their store, so as to be offensive to the neighbourhood. A medical man who resided on the premises above the store, said the smell had an injurious effect, causing headache, sickness, and loss of appetite, as also impairing the digestive organs; as sufficient evidence was not brought forward to prove that the complaint was well founded, the charge was found not prov en.

OBSTRUCTING A GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR.

AT the Police Court, Huddersfield, Mr. P. Martin, manufacturer, was charged with having interfered with Mr. Woodgate, sub-inspector of factories, whilst in the execu tion of his duty. The complainant went to Mr. Martin's mill to make a night inspection, and whilst in one of the rooms the lights were turned out and the doors locked. He could not see what he was doing or where he was going. It was contended that the defendant was not liable, the offence having been committed by a workman for a lark. It was stated that Mr. Martin had apologised for what had been done, and had discharged the workman. The bench considered the case a gross one, and fined defendant 40%. and costs.

BLOOD NUISANCE.

IN the Dumfries Burgh Court a petition has been presented by the sanitary inspector to the effect that within a shed situated in Coach and Horses Close, there existed a nuisance within the meaning of the Public Health (Scotland) Act, 1867-viz., a quantity of blood or other offensive matter, within fifty yards of a dwelling-house; that the author was D. M'Nairn, butcher; and the petition asked for the removal of said nuisance. Dr. Thomson, medical officer, said that the building was unsuited for the purpose for which it was being used-viz., collecting blood and preparing it for market, and that the works carried on there were offensive. Bailie Wood ordered the respondent to discontinue and remove said nuisance within three days.

A FOUL CLOSET.

C. SPOONER, of Alcester, basket maker, was charged on an information laid by the inspector of nuisances with allowing a closet to become a nuisance prejudicial to health. Defendant said that it was a tub under the closet that required emptying, but he denied that it had been used by him for the past four months.-The inspector said that the closet in question was common to five houses; it was situate about six yards from the public road, into which excrement from it ran, and he had had many complaints of it. The clerk remarked to defendant that it was necessary for his own health, as well as others, to have the place regularly cleansed; but as the closet was common to other houses he recommended the withdrawal of the present summons and the taking out of summonses against the occupiers of all the houses, unless the nuisance was abated.-The summons was withdrawn.

A NOVEL MILK CASE.

A NOVEL case under the Adulteration of Food Act was recently adjudicated upon at the Hammersmith Police Court. A milk-seller named Hedges was summoned by the inspector for selling milk mixed with 22 per cent. of water. The defendant at once applied to Mr. Bridge, the presiding magistrate, for a summons against one Watney, from whom he alleged that he had purchased the milk in the condition in which he sold it. This application was granted. On the day of hearing, the case against Hedges was taken first. It having been proved by the inspector and the analyst, there being practically no defence, the defendant was convicted and mulcted in the costs of the summons and the analyst's fee, no fine being imposed. The case against the original vendor, Watney, was then gone into and proved by the person who sold the milk to the inspector, and upon this evidence Watney was fined 30s., besides 23s. costs, notwithstanding the protest of his solicitor, Mr. Kisch, that there was nothing in the Act to justify a conviction under the circumstances.

THE DUBLIN STREETS QUESTION.

AT the Northern Divisional Court, Mr. White, on behalf of Mr. Gerrard, against whom the police had issued a summons for not keeping the footway round his premises properly swept, said that he had taken the advice of counsel, and they were of opinion that two courses were open to the defendant in proceeding against the corpora tion for not keeping the channel clean, thereby rendering it impossible for him to keep the footway swept. One was by summoning the corporation to the police-court, to show cause why informations should not be filed against them for creating a nuisance; and the other, by obtaining a writ of mandamus against them. After consultation, he (Mr. White) had been advised to ask for the summons.—Mr. O'Donnell said he did not wish to take upon himself the jurisdiction of the Queen's Bench. He thought the case was very plain. When a footway was dirty, it was the duty of the public to have it swept.-Mr. White: But there was mud in heaps along the sides of Mr. Gerrard's footway, and every passing vehicle splashed mud all over it, so that it was impossible for him to keep it properly swept, and, therefore, the corporation were the primary cause of the nuisance. Mr. O'Donnell: I never knew a case of the kind to occur before in all my experience. I do not see how you could summon the corporation in their corporate capacity. I will not give you the summons unless I am advised to give it. Later in the day Mr. C. J. O'Donel entered the court, and Mr. White renewed his application in presence of both magistrates. -Mr. O'Donnell said that he was still of opinion that the more satisfactory and the cheaper course would be that he should impose a fine on Mr. Gerrard, and then let him go to the Queen's Bench.-Mr. O'Donel said he would have no hesitation in giving a summons upon the opinion of counsel that an indictment would lie. It was not deciding the

FOOD SUPPLY.

(To the Editor of the SANITARY RECORD.) SIR,-The Baroness Burdett Coutts recently suggested that goats should be utilised more largely than they are at present, as a source of food and milk supply. There are, however, several difficulties attending these animals which render them very undesirable. It is almost impossible to keep them docile or tractable. They are unsafe to have in a place where there are children. Their appetites are omnivorous, and nothing seems to be secure from their destructive propensities, whilst their climbing powers are such that few things can be placed safely out of their reach.

Valuable as their milk is, therefore, these qualities preclude the use of these animals to any material extent as a source of food supply. We might suggest, however, that sheep's milk possesses nutritive qualities of the highest

order.

In the Vale of Glamorgan, for about one month in the year, on weaning the lambs, it is the practice to milk the ewes regularly each day. Each ewe yields on an average one pint of milk per day, which, mixed with cow's milk, makes the best cheese produced in Wales; the milk of the sheep being considered to be equal in richness to the cream of a cow's milk. In fact, in the luscious national cake of the country the TEDSIAN LLAETH DEVAID, or the equally luscious sheep's milk pudding (which is dear to a Welshman as haggis to a Scotchman) sheep's milk is one of the principal ingredients.

Those who have partaken of these luxuries will readily believe the foregoing assertion as to the relative nutritive value of sheep's and cow's milk.

If, therefore, the milk of the small and almost wild Welsh sheep can be utilised, and the animals rendered sufficiently docile to come up regularly to be milked-why cannot the same thing be done in England with the better bred and fed English animals, especially as neither the sheep or lambs suffer any deterioration from the operation?

Were this done I feel confident that a valuable addition

to our food supply would be gained, and one specially

beneficial to invalids.

M. P.

The properties of the acid have been tested in Germany, where the discovery of its composition was first made by Professors Kolbe, Neugebauer, Knop, and Thiersch, and experiments are still being prosecuted to still further test and develop the utility of this antiseptic.

Professor Kolbe found from experiment that half a gramme of the acid would suffice to check the fermentation produced by five grammes of beeryeast, acting on 120 grammes of sugar dissolved in its utility in checking the second fermentation of the litre of water. From this experiment he suggests wines, beers, liquors, and essences, as well as its value to prevent the growth of mould or fungi in casks.

In the preservation of milk, it was found that the addition of o04 per cent. of salicylic acid delayed the process of curdling for thirty-six hours over that milk which had not been so treated. As a preservative of potable water, used on board ship, from putrefaction, either by the admixture of one part to 20,000, or by simply covering the bung-hole with cotton steeped in the acid, Professor Kolbe considers it to be peculiarly valuable.

The highest value, however, of this acid arises from the fact that it can be applied to the human system, either internally or externally, without any injurious results. It has been used largely for dressing offensive wounds by Dr. Fehlong in the lying-in hospital at Leipsic, and also by Professor Thiersch in his surgical practice.

For application as a dentifrice, personal disinfectant or preservative from contagion, or for neutralising harmlessly the fetid odour of foul breath or of perspiration, the use of this acid will be invaluable.

The agents for the sale of salicylic acid in the United Kingdom are Messrs. Domeier & Co., 3, Botolph Lane, London, who will furnish all information which may be required.

SANITARY CONDITION OF OXFORD.

(To the Editor of the SANITARY Record.) SIR,-Since completing the article which you publish in your present issue on the sanitary condition of Oxford, my attention has been called to a somewhat 'sensational' leader on the same subject in the Daily News of February 23. I wish only to suggest to your readers that the leader in question deals more with assertions than facts, and that I adhere to the opinion expressed in my article above referred to, and founded on the best collation of facts which I have been able to make, viz., that there is nothing in the present condition of Oxford which can justify a panic or anything approximating to a panic. Oxford, February 25.

GILBERT W. CHILD.

Sanitary Inventions.

SALICYLIC ACID.

AMONGST disinfectants the newly-discovered acid, salicylic, bids fair to take a high, if not the highest, rank. It is a compound of carbolic and carbonic acids, taking the form of a pulverised crystal, which is readily soluble in hot water, alcohol, or ether.

As an antiseptic it is found to be superior to carbolic acid, owing to its entire freedom from smell or taste. This latter quality renders it specially valuable in the preservation of food of all kinds.

APPOINTMENTS OF HEALTH OFFICERS, INSPECTORS OF NUISANCES, ETC.

BILLINGTON, Mr. George, has been appointed Surveyor and Inspector of Nuisances for the Hinckley Urban Sanitary District, vice O'Donnell.

BULL, Mr. Augustus, has been appointed Clerk to the Radstock Urban Sanitary Authority.

CHEESEWRIGHT, John Francis, L. R.C. P. Edinburgh, M. R. C. S. England, has been appointed Medical Officer of Health for the Greasborough Urban Sanitary District.

ORRIN, Mr. James, has been appointed clerk to the Oystermouth Urban Sanitary Authority.

PARSONS, Frederick James, L. R.C.P. Edinburgh, M. R.C.S. England, and L.M., M., and L.S.A. London, has been appointed Medical Officer of Health for the Portland Port Sanitary District.

SMITH, John Grant, L.R.C.S. Edinburgh, and L.M., has been appointed Certifying Factory Surgeon for Thurso, vice Bruce, deceased.

SPENCER, Lawrence Wilson, L.R.C.P. Edinburgh, and L.M., has been appointed Medical Officer of Health for the Preston Rural Sanitary District.

WIMPENNY, Jonas, M.R.C.S. England, L.S.A. London, has been appointed Medical Officer of Health for the Austonley, Cartworth, Fulstone, Hepworth, Holme, Netherthong, Scholes, Upperthong, and Wooldale Urban Sanitary Districts, vice Berry, whose appointment has expired: 10c/. per annum for two years.

VACANCIES.

BEDFORD RURAL SANITARY DISTRICT. Medical Officer of Health; 210l. per annum.