in Melbourne. 183 



grating, and a pai^tition wall dividing it into two parts 

 except at the bottom. The dejecta were thus comminuted 

 by the force of the stream of water beating against the 

 partition wall and. the grating, so that before they reached 

 the filter the whole was a homogeneous liquid. The filter, 

 at the bottom of which the mixture entered, was a covered 

 pit with an iron grating at a short distance above the bottom 

 and another near the top. Between the two were layers of 

 road metal, oyster shells, and charcoal, both animal and 

 vegetal. This constituted the filtering material. Its efi'ect 

 remains to be considered. 



Case III. The next place visited was the Lying-in Hospital, 

 from which several samples were taken at different times, 

 and under different circumstances. The first step was to 

 take a sample of the water flowing from the filter drain 

 before the object of the visit was announced. It was well 

 that this step was taken, for on subsequent visits made by 

 appointment, a much larger flow of water was observed, and 

 also the presence of a quantity of chloride of lime. Here 

 the opportunity was afforded us of seeing the inside of the 

 cesspit and filter, which were obligingly opened for the 

 purpose. Here were wanting the breaking diaphragm and 

 grating already described under No. II., consequently, the 

 comminution was not so complete, and took place more 

 slowly. Added to this difference, is the fact that the kitchen 

 slops flowed in on the top of the cesspit, and with its 

 contents passed through the filter, where the presence of any 

 grease was of course prejudicial. The samples taken here 

 were five in number, and were variously used in the course 

 of the experiments, the most important observations being 

 made with No. A. After the completion of the experiments, 

 I went to the place alone a little before midnight. Abund- 

 ance of water was flowing from the filter, and an offensive 

 smell, of which no other source appeared than the gutter, 

 was distinctly noticeable. 



Case IV. It was considered, both by the Health Oflicer and 

 myself, very desirable to examine some of the waters flowing 

 in the street channels, although they did not come under 

 my oflicial instructions. Accordingly, the Inspector of 

 Nuisances was directed to supply me with a sample, which he 

 took in Elizabeth-street at 11 p.m. I had myself observed 

 a disgusting stench proceeding from a gutter in Bourke- 

 street near the Theatre Eoyal on the same evening, and with 



