REPORT OE THE SECRETARY. 
190 
system, there appears to be little doubt that it is the cleanest, 
the most wholesome, and the most rational, not to say 
economical, plan yet devised for the disposal of town refuse. 
It has been used with great success in the prisons and 
hospitals of India and is, I believe, in full operation in the 
large town of Port-Louis in Mauritius. It would be a 
great boon if this system should prove to be the remedy for 
the bad sanitary state of Fort-of-Spain, which has been 
ably described by our President, Dr. de Verteuil, in his 
paper numbered 5 in the foregoing list. The scheme of 
sewerage, looked upon with so much doubt and want of 
confidence by so many here, might then be unnecessary. 
Another proposal brought under your notice in two 
papers by Dr. Mitchell might be of great use in large estab- 
lishments for the preservation of food. A patent has been 
taken out in England for the application of Bisulphites to 
this purpose, and it seems probable that the plan may be 
productive of much economy in the keeping of food. 
Papers relating to the value of the Boehmeria nivea or 
China-Grass have been laid before you. As the plant may 
become a profitable article of export you will, I am sure, 
excuse my bringing it again to your notice ; and it may be 
hoped that we shall obtain some further information rela- 
tive to the mode of preparing the fibre for export. 
The increase in our numbers, if it continues at the same 
rate as during the past year, will render it necessary that 
we should have some regular place of meeting. Our funds 
do not admit, at least at present, of our incurring expense 
to provide a place of meeting ; and the only alternative 
which at present suggests itself is that the Association 
should endeavour to obtain the use of a room in some public 
building. It will also be necessary before long that there 
