1869.] The Future Waier-suppli/ of London. 231 



into the Thames at Oxford ayouM probably retain its vitality at 

 Teddington; but the same egg, if it had been broken and its con- 

 tents beaten u]i in water, might have suffered complete oxidation in 

 the same time. 



AlthoQgh, therefore, we may for the present be forced to remain 

 contented with doing our utmost to secure the minimum of sewage- 

 contamination in our water-supply, it is highly probable that in the 

 future these makeshift precautions will not satisfy us. It behoves 

 ns of course to be extremely careful in deciding on radical changes 

 in our water-supply ; for although the case so far looks very black 

 against sewage-contaminated water, the possibility must not be lost 

 sight of, that it may ultimately break down altogether, and the 

 London companies succeed in proving that no possible harm can 

 arise under any circumstances from the use of their water. 



The liistory of London water-supply and its connection with 

 the cholera is a very important element in the inquiry to which we 

 are thus impelled. Some points in it have been made the subjects 

 of very fervent, if not acrimonious discussion, and to these points 

 it is now necessary to allude as briefly as possible. The three last 

 epidemics of cholera in London have found three different conditions 

 of water-supply ; and Dr. Farr has proved in the clearest manner 

 that the progressive amelioration which has been effected in the 

 quality of the water, has been accompanied by a corresponding 

 diminution of the mortahty of the disease. It is unnecessary to 

 quote evidence on this point, because Dr. Frankland has given 

 enough to convince any sane person, in his before-named article in 

 this Journal. The fact is not indeed, as far as I am aware, doubted 

 by any one. ' The Metropolis Water Act of 1852,' which pro- 

 hibited the London companies, after the 31st August, 1865, from 

 drawing their suj^ply below the tidal points of the Thames and its 

 tributaries, and compelled them to filter it, was undoubtedly the 

 cause of the very slight virulence which marked the epidemic of 

 1866 in all the districts of London, with the important exception 

 of those which were supplied from one reservoir belonging to the 

 East London Water Company at Old Ford, Bow. We all know the 

 terrible catastrophe that befel that fated region; we all read at 

 the time, with lively sympathy and horror, the vivid narratives 

 which week by week were compiled by Dr. Farr and the other 

 investigators of the tragedy. The story need not here be told in 

 detail. The acuteness of Dr. Farr soon suggested a probable cause 

 for the localization of the outbreak ; and Mr. Netten Eadcliffe, 

 who was specially commissioned by the Privy Council to inquire 

 into the circumstance, and whose elaborate Eeport is printed as an 

 Appendix in the Ninth Keport of the Medical Officer, found himself 

 compelled to adopt his hypothesis. It cannot now be doubted that 

 the water of the ordinary reservoir at Old Ford was, on a particular 



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