Proceedings of the West London Medico - Chirurgical Society Vol.I.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1884. Excerpt: ... Meeting held June 1st. Dr. Hart Vinen in the chair. INTRODUCTION TO A DISCUSSION ON THE WATER SUPPLY OF LONDON, WITH SPECIAL REGARD TO PUBLIC HEALTH AND SECURITY. By Dr. Thudichum. The solution of the question involved in title is now bound up with that of Municipal Government for London. Now, as legislation of this subject has again been postponed, longstanding promises notwithstanding, a discussion such as ours might appear mustard after dinner. But in reality it is much needed, to aid the profession in forming firm principles on the subject, and enabling them to be teachers and leaders of the public, so that the public themselves may be enabled to press for proper legislation. London water comes from many sources. There are WELLS IN GRAVEL; of these many have been abandoned, a number closed by authority, so that while a poor man could formerly get water at the price of his own exertion, now he can no longer do so. The so-called sanitary outcry has driven almost the entire population into the hands of private monopoly. WELLS IN CHALK. Of these there are a great number in about London. These furnish pure water, mainly, of course very hard, but with few and rare exceptions, free from suspicion. The wells are mostly private property, but some are in the hands of chartered companies and supply large areas in the South of London (Kent Company). Rivers, THAMES And Lea. The eight Water Companies which supply the metropolis deliver an alleged daily average of about 120 millions of gallons of water, and five out of these eight companies derive the whole of their supply from the Thames, while a sixth takes a portion of its supply from the Thames, and the remainder from the river Lea. One of the five alluded to has also obtained powers, or is about to obtain them, ..