234 Scientific Proceedings, Royal Dublin Society. 



5. To introduce in their gas-testing stations apparatus for 

 testing the coal-gas as regards its content in carbon monoxide, 

 and employ expert chemists to apply the test at stated intervals. 



6. To require of gas-producers an account of the percentage 

 of gas unaccounted for, the consumption of which cannot be 

 traced. This would afford some measure of the leakage through 

 broken or defective mains. (See the first group of cases in this 

 paper.) 



7. To direct constables on duty to take special note of any 

 odour of gas arising from excavations in the streets, and report 

 thereon. 



8. To institute an inspection of gas-fittings, especially with 

 regard (a) to taps unprovided with a stop, and therefore capable 

 of being turned right round, so as to turn on the gas again 

 in the act of cutting it off, and (b) to stoves and Geysers not 

 provided with proper ventilating pipes or flues carried out to the 

 open air. 



So far as I am aware, the existing law does not enable sanitary 

 authorities to take such steps, and special legislation would 

 therefore be required, except in regard to recommendation No. 8, 

 which refers to defective fittings, as stoves, Geysers, gas-cookers, 

 &c. These might be brought under the provisions of the Public 

 Health Act (Ireland), 1878, section 107, and dealt with as 

 nuisances. 



In conclusion, I may say that I do not desire in any way to 

 excite public alarm on this subject, or to interfere with the 

 legitimate prosecution and development of the gas-making 

 industry. Having had the dangers of inhaling the gas, as recently 

 manufactured, so forcibly brought under my notice, I have 

 thought it well to bring the results of my observations under the 

 notice of members of the Eoyal Dublin Society. I am convinced 

 that should the question come to be looked upon as one of public 

 inquiry, legislation will not fail to follow. 



I wish finally to express my sense of very special indebtedness 

 to Professor Lorrain Smith, M.D., of Belfast, who kindly checked 

 my results in determining the percentage saturation with carbon 

 monoxide of the several samples of blood. I have also to thank 

 the City Coroner and the Registrar- General for information 

 courteously placed at my disposal. 



