1867.] The Public Health. G6 



such instruments would give results which cannot be furnished by 

 the very best body of eye-observers : and we understand a system 

 of this kind is under the consideration of Government. 



Besides these self-recording observatories, numerous stations in 

 the British Isles and numerous vessels at sea ought to be supplied 

 with instruments all verified at some central Observatory. Care 

 ought also to be taken by inspection and otherwise, that the observ- 

 ations are properly made. 



The whole body of observations both by land and sea ought to be 

 discussed under the direction of one general Superintendent, over- 

 looked if need be by a scientific board. This general superintendent 

 might also with propriety have under him two responsible officers ; 

 one to take charge of the land, and the other of the sea observations. 

 The general superintendent should likewise be well acquainted with 

 those branches of science, which are or may prove to be akin to 

 Meteorology. 



We have only to add, that the executive meteorological officers 

 ought immediately to be informed of the observational laws when 

 they are discovered ; and these ought also to be communicated to such 

 of the scientific and general public as are interested in the subject. 



In conclusion, we venture to think that a Government which 

 treats the matter in such a way, would be sure to gain the confidence 

 and favour of the scientific world. 



VIII. THE PUBLIC HEALTH. 



The East End of London. By Edwin Lankester, M.D., F.RS. 



London is not more favourably situated for health than other 

 towns of England. The chief part of the great Metropolis is built 

 directly upon the bed of clay which is deposited in the great chalk 

 basin, whose edges rise round London on every side. This basin is 

 divided into two sides by the river Thames : the larger population 

 is on the north side. On this side stand the two great commercial 

 and social centres of London — Westminster, with the Houses of 

 Parliament and Buckingham and St. James's Palace ; and the City, 

 with St. Paul's Cathedral, the Mansion House, and Guildhall. The 

 population of London is now nearly 3,000,000. It is not governed 

 by one Municipality, as other cities of the empire. The Corporation 

 of London, with its Lord Mayor, have control over the affairs of only 

 a very limited number of citizens. The Metropolitan Management 

 Act recognized upwards of forty Local Boards of Works, or Vestries. 

 Hence London, in its general management is at a disadvantage as 



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