such convenience for cleansing; and the duties in relation to paving and draining (that is the surface draining), and underground drainage, should be combined and placed under one jurisdiction.

LIGHTING.

This in most cases is efficiently done, where it is not, extra lights should be added.

SUPERVISION OF MARKETS.

As there is, of course, much refuse in all markets, especially vegetable ones, there should be an inspector to superintend the daily removal of such collections.

In closing these observations with regard to refuse matter, I wish to observe, that these masses are not removed to a sufficient distance from the metropolis; in fact, they are generally collected in some vast heap in the immediate neighbourhood, becoming a centre for infection and putridity: they should, on the contrary, be removed (if possible) by rail or canal to some convenient distance, where they may be sorted and disposed of, without injuring the health of the neighbourhood.

VACCINATION.

;

I have very few words to say upon Vaccination. The present Act appears to me to be almost useless a fresh Act, therefore, is required-one that should most stringently bind every parent to have the child vaccinated before it is six weeks old. Small-pox is a disease that we have the power to totally eradicate. Why is it not done? The question must be answered by our rulers.

ADULTERATIONS OF FOOD.

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PUBLIC INSPECTOR OF ADULTERATIONS.

From the various works lately published upon food, and its adulterations, we have an immense amount of evidence, showing that many things that we are accustomed to eat, drink, and relish, are slow poisons. It is not in the sphere of this little work to go very deeply into the subject, but there are a few articles of vital importance upon which we all live, that should be brought under the notice of the authorities.

BREAD

be

Contains alum in more or less amount; this may easily detected by introducing a clean steel knife into a new loaf, when, being left for a short time, crystals of alum will adhere to the steel; this salt is very aggravating to the dyspeptic, and causes that disease in many cases. Potatoes and rice, although frauds upon the purchaser, are not deleterious. The cheap German yeast as now sold, is of very inferior quality; being often in a state of decomposition when purchased, the bread soon turns acid.

MEAT

Should be rigorously examined, as from my own personal knowledge, diseased, and cattle that have died naturally, or that have been slaughtered anticipating death, are sent up by unscrupulous farmers to salesmen equally unscrupulous, to be sold in the deadmeat markets.

BEER.

There are various ingredients used for the adultera

tion of beer; the only one that is highly objectionable, and in fact poisonous, is the "cocculus indicus." This should most stringently be put down; it should be interdicted altogether from entering the country. It is never used in medicine, and is only used for the adulteration of beer, and by poachers for intoxicating fish-two very bad practices. Pereira says, "Notwithstanding the severe prohibitory statutes against the employment of cocculus indicus in brewing, I have reason to believe that it is extensively used, but being employed in the form of a solution of the extract, the form is not easy of detection." Morrice on brewing, gives full directions for its use, "It gives an inebriating quality which passes for strength of liquor." Beer, being the Englishman's peculiar drink, should be free from poisons, if not from impurities. We look for this from the government: there are heavy taxes on malt and hops, we should therefore be protected from being poisoned in our beer; the only way to do this is to make cocculus indicus contraband.

MILK.

What is milk? An analytical chemist being asked the question, and judging from specimens of London milk, would find great difficulty in answering it." There is no doubt that it is most extensively adulterated, that it contains all manner of impurities, from chalk to brains inclusive: that as sold to the purchaser, in very many cases, it is no more milk than it is cream. Now, as many children live on milk, it is most important that they should have it pure; milk therefore should be strictly supervised.

ADULTERATIONS OF FOOD.

31

These are the only four articles of diet I shall bring forward; but as these are the most important, and, combined with vegetables, what we more or less live upon, every one will see the importance of having them in a pure, unadulterated condition. I should therefore recommend that competent public inspectors should be appointed, whose sole duty should be to continually visit the shops of tradesmen, and minutely examine into the purity or rather non-poisonous state of the articles sold. There are many substances improved by mixing with other ingredients; this of course should be allowed, as long as they are not poisonous, and are articles that may be eaten or drunk without harm to the consumer.

WINE,

Although not a necessary article, may now be almost classed under the head of medicines, for it is most extensively recommended by medical men of the present day. Such a thing as a pure wine is unknown to the general public; the tricks of the wine-merchant are so extensive, that such an article is not to be found. They say they have to suit the palates of their customers, so they brandy, and mix, and vat, until we find French reds at 32s. the pipe, come out as superior old crusted port at £36,—and this done in the docks. There must be "something rotten in the state of Denmark" for this to be allowed. I should therefore advise all buyers of wine, to go to a good house, and give a good price for it; it will save many a headache and attack of dyspepsia. And the poor who can afford to buy a bottle of wine, when recommended

by the medical man, should have an order from him, and be allowed to buy it of the parish, at some central station, at the wholesale price.

PUBLIC AMUSEMENTS.

This point is too little considered by the legislature. The public require, and must have relaxation of some description, and if it is not found for them, they will find it for themselves. I have before mentioned the utility of public parks; beyond this there is required some intellectual evening's amusement for the humbler classes. The theatrical representations are now much improved in their tendency; but still, there is something beyond this required of a cheaper form. The literary and scientific institutions, now so popular, have supplied a great void; but a news-room, with public lectures on the natural and other sciences, conveyed in the simplest language, so as to be understood by the most ignorant, with the price of admission 1d. or 2d., is, I think, a boon that would be accepted as one of the greatest by the poor. The amusement and culture of the mind is as necessary to a healthy state of the body as almost any other single recommendation I have mentioned. Popular instruction, in an amusing form, is one of those boons that the poor seldom have the advantage of obtaining, but which, when they have, is seized with the greatest avidity.

By this means moral and even religious instruction might be gradually introduced; and by elevating the minds of the lower classes, would make them aspire to excel in their various callings, and then by the aid of savings banks alleviate their conditions most mate