them; and in Italy, also, a little sulphur is burnt in the casks to purify them. Meat, sealed up in canisters, filled with sulphurous acid, and with the addition of nitrogen, or a little nitric oxide, keeps fresh for years. Another way which Mr. Gamgee has introduced, is to kill the animal with carbonic oxide, and then the meat is preserved in canisters filled with carbonic oxide and sulphurous acid gas. A piece of meat, about an inch broad and thick, and about three inches long, was sealed up by Dr. Angus Smith in a bottle, and was good at the end of twenty-eight days, but its colour had changed to pink. As this agent is used, there may be some destruction of property, for it discharges vegetable colours, attacks iron, and is absorbed by cloth, leather, &c. Indeed, in cases of contagious fevers, it can rarely be used in sufficient quantity to be really efficient. See DISINFECT ANTS. Aconite - Aconite Root - Aconiti radix-Natural order, Ranunculacea.—The root, dried, of Aconitum Napellus, imported from Germany, or cultivated in Britain, and collected in winter or early spring before the leaves have appeared. Numerous cases of poisoning have occurred from this root being mistaken for horse-radish; but there are striking differences, horse-radish root being of a long cylindrical shape, of the same size and thickness for many inches, and whitish-yellow outside, having a powerful pungent odour when scraped, whilst aconite root is SHORT and CONICAL, tapering rapidly to a point. Externally its colour of an earthy brown, but white inside, having a strong earthy odour. Aconitia-Aconitina-An alkaloid ob a disinfectant, either as a fumigating agent, or in solution, it deservedly takes a high place. As a fumigator, it has been used from the earliest times, and is mentioned by Ulysses in Homer (Odyssey, Bk. xxii. 1. 492). It is used to fumigate sick-rooms, destroy odours, and has been lately employed in rather a large scale to sewers. (See SEWERS.) It does not appear to remove all odours, but certainly the greater number of them. It acts chemically as a deoxidiser, and then it appears to oxidise afterwards by part-tained from aconite. The plant is about five ing with its own oxygen. Sometimes, also, when mixed with vegetable matter, it is entirely decomposed, and sulphuretted hydrogen is given off. Its exact action on the low forms of animal life is hardly known. Certain it is, that, even much diluted, it stops the amæboid movements of living cells, destroys or kills vibrios, and acts deleteriously on vegetation. It has been suggested that, as the acid is always present in towns, it is the cause of the decay of the teeth, principally from the fact that, in works where this gas is emanated, the workmen lose their teeth. It is a most valuable agent as a parasiticide -especially the vegetable parasites-and as such is used in cutaneous affections with the most beneficial effect, whether the disease exists in man or animals. It has also been used in the Cattle Plague by Dr. Dewar and others, and they have spoken very highly of its effects in this disease. By the chemist, among other uses, it is employed to reduce peroxide of iron to protoxide. The sulphites have a very similar action as disinfectants, and are sometimes more convenient. In order to disinfect clothes, letters, and other articles, the articles may be suspended over pieces of lighted brown paper, previously coated with sulphur, or over shovel, or dish of red-hot coals, upon which sulphur is sprinkled, or in which a crucible is immersed containing a lump of sulphur. To thoroughly disinfect a room, it should be almost hermetically sealed, and a very large quantity of sulphur burnt. In such a case, if feet in height. The leaves are deep green on the upper surface, lighter beneath, smooth, palmate, five partite, the segments wedgeshaped and pinnately cut. The root is fusiform, like a carrot, from one to three inches long, not thicker than the finger at the crown, with fleshy fibres, dark brown on the surface, whitish within. The flowers are purple, helmet-shaped, numerous, and in dense racemes. All parts of the plant are bitter and acrid, causing a tingling of the lips and skin, followed by numbness. They contain the alkaloid aconitia (C30H47NO,), united with aconitic acid (CHO). Another base is also present, which has been named Aconella, resembling narcotine in its composition and properties, capable of crystallisation, but not possessing the active properties of aconitia. Aconitia is a white, uncrystallisable solid, soluble in 150 parts of cold and 50 parts of hot water, and much more soluble in alcohol and ether; alkaline, neutralising acids, and precipitated from them by the caustic alkalies. It is a very active poison, entirely soluble in pure ether, and leaves no residue when burned with free excess of air. The separation of this poison in a post-mortem examination seems at present almost an impossibility, owing to the changes which it undergoes in the organism, as well as by its decomposition during the process of evaporation and exposure to the air, by which it becomes converted into ammonia. Nor are there any peculiar chemical reactions by which it can be readily identified. Its physiological-that is, its benumbing and paralysing effects are the only prominent ones. The following are the principal tests. Cold nitric or sulphuric acid applied to the solid produces no reaction; but if heated with the latter acid, it produces a brown colour. The caustic alkalies produce with its solutions a white precipitate, which is redissolved on the addition of more water, by which it is distinguished from atropia. Acts, Contagious Diseases-See CONTAGIOUS DISEASES ACT, VENEREAL DISEASES, PROSTITUTION, &c. Act, Diseases Prevention-The whole of this Act, except so far as relates to the Metropolis, has been repealed, and is included in the Public Health Act, 1875. See DISEASES, PREVENTION of. Acts, Factory-See FACTORY; TRADES, Chloride of gold produces an abundant yel- INJURIOUS. low amorphous precipitate. Chloride of platinum produces NO PRECIPI TATE with this alkaloid, which is characteristic. In cases of poisoning, an emetic should at once be given, and the patient placed in the recumbent position, applying friction over the heart, and chafing the limbs. If the patient can swallow, a stimulant should be given. Aconitia is often very impure: sometimes it is mixed with delphinia, and sometimes it contains aconella, the other principle contained in the root, and precipitated with the aconitia. Pure aconitia in gr. dose will destroy a dog; but 1 gr. of the spurious alkaloid can often be given without much effect. Act Adulteration (35 & 36 Vict. c. 74)This Act is now repealed, and the Sale of Food and Drugs Act substituted in its stead. See ADULTERATION. Act, Alkali-See ALKALI ACT. Act, Artisans and Labourers Dwellings, 1868 (31 & 32 Vict. c. 130), Artisans Dwellings, 1875-See HABI TATIONS. Act, Bakehouse (26 & 27 Vict. c. 40)Se: BAKEHOUSE. Act, Bakehouse Regulation (26 & 27 Vict. c. 40)- Both rural and urban authorities have to carry out, and are subject to the provisions of, this Act. See BAKEHOUSE. are Acts, Baths and Washhouses-These An Act to Encourage the Establishment of Public Baths and Washhouses" (9 & 10 Vict. c. 74), and an Act amending the same (10 & 11 Vict. c. 61). These Acts may or may not be adopted by an urban authority. See BATHS. Act, Coal Mines Regulation, 1872 (35 & 36 Vict. c. 7)-See MINES, SANITARY LEGISLATION, &c. Acts, Common Lodging-House, 1851 (14 & 15 Vict. c. 28), 1853 (16 & 17 Vict. c. 41)-Both these Acts are repealed, and included in the Public Health Act, 1875, except those portions which relate to the Metropolitan Police District. Acts, Labouring Classes LodgingHouses.-Under this general appellation are included the Labouring Classes DwellingHouses Act, 1851 (14 & 15 Vict. c. 34), the Labouring Classes Dwelling-Houses Act, 1866 (29 & 30 Vict. c. 28), Labouring Classes Dwelling-Houses Act, 1867 (30 & 31 Vict. c. 28). The whole of these Acts apply only to urban districts, and may or may not be adopted; but where they are in force, the provisions must be duly carried out by the urban authority. Acts, Land Clauses, Consolidation of-See LANDS, PURCHASE OF. Acts, Local-There are various local Acts still in force in different places. The Local Government Board has now the power by provisional order to wholly or partially repeal, alter, or amend any Local Act (with the exception of a Local River Conservancy Act). Any such provisional order may provide for the extension of the provisions of the Local Act referred to therein beyond the district within the limits of such Act, or for the exclusion of the whole or a portion of any such district from the application of such Act; and may provide what local authority shall have jurisdiction for the purposes of the Public Health Act in any area which is by such order included in or excluded from such district (P. H., s. 303). All Acts whatever done by authorities by virtue of the powers conferred upon them by a Local Act are valid, notwithstanding the passing of the Public Health Acts, 1872 and 1875 (P. H. 338). Where a local sanitary Act is in force within the district of a local authority, proceedings may be instituted at discretion, either under the Local Act or under the General Act (i.e., P. H.); but no person may be punished for the same offence both under a Local Act and under the Public Health Act, nor is the local authority, by reason of the existence of a Local Act in their district, exempted from the performance of any duty or obligation to which they are subject under the Public Health Act, 1875 (P. H. 340). Acts, Local Government, 1858 (21 & 22 Vict.), 1861 (24 & 25 Vict. c. 61), and 1863 (26 & 27 Vict. c. 17)-These Acts have been repealed, and are included in the Public Health Act, 1875. See LOCAL BOARDS, URBAN SANITARY AUTHORITY, &c. Act, Markets and Fair Clauses, 1847 (10 & 11 Vict. c. 14)-See MARKETS. Acts, Nuisance Removal, 1855 (18 & 19 Vict. c. 121), 1860 (23 & 24 Vict. c. 77), 1863 (26 & 27 Vict. c. 117), 1866 (29 & 30 Vict. c. 4), are all repealed, except so far as relates to the Metropolis, and included in the Public Health Act, 1875. Act, Petroleum, 1871 (34 & 35 Vict. c. 105)-See PETROLEUM. Act, Pharmacy, 1868 (31 & 32 Vict. c. 53)-See POISONS. Acts, Public Health, 1848 (11 & 12 Vict. c. 63), 1872 (35 & 36 Vict. c. 79), and its Amendment Act of 1874, are included in the Public Health Act of 1875, and are altogether repealed with a few exceptions relating to the Metropolis. See DISTRICTS, SANITARY ; MEDICAL OFFICER OF HEALTH; INSPECTOR OF NUISANCES, &c. &c. Act, Public Health, 1875 (38 & 39 Vict. c. 55)-This important Act became law on the 11th of August 1875. It repeals and embodies the Public Health Acts, the Local Government Act, the Nuisance Removal Acts, the Sanitary Acts, the Sewage Utilisation Acts, and the Diseases Prevention Act, either entirely or partially, as set forth in detail in the first and second parts of the fifth schedule of the Act, as follows: SCHEDULE V. ENACTMENTS which have been already repealed are in a few instances included in this repeal, in order to avoid the necessity of reference to previous statutes. SESSION AND CHAPTER, TITLE OR SHORT TITLE. EXTENT OF REPEAL. The whole Act. The Common Lodging-Houses Act, The whole Act, except so far as re- The Common Lodging-Houses Act, The whole Act, except so far as re- The Diseases Prevention Act, 1855. The whole Act, except so far as relates to the Metropolis. The Nuisances Removal Act for The whole Act, except so far as re- The Local Government Act, 1858. lates to the Metropolis. The whole Act. The whole Act, except so far as relates to the Metropolis. The Local Government Act (1858) The whole Act. The Local Government Act Amend- The whole Act. The Nuisances Removal Act for The Nuisances Removal (No. 1) Act, The whole Act, except so far as relates to the Metropolis. The whole Act, except so far as relates to Scotland and Ireland. The whole Act, except so far as relates to the Metropolis. Parts I., II, and III., except so far as relates to the Metropolis or to Scotland or Ireland. The whole Act, except so far as relates to Scotland or Ireland. The whole Act, except so far as relates to the Metropolis. The whole Act, except so far as relates to the Metropolis ... The Sewage Utilisation Act, 1867. The whole Act, except so far as relates to the Metropolis. The Sanitary Law Amendment Act, The whole Act, except so far as re1874. lates to the Metropolitan Police District. Of the above Acts, the following (namely), "The Public Health Act, 1848," and "The Local Government Act, 1858," and "The Local Government Act (1858) Amendment Act, 1861," and "The Local Government Act Amendment Act, 1863," are in this Act referred to as "The Local Government Acts." Section 1 (confirmation of certain provisional orders of the General Board of Health), and section 12 Supplemental The whole Act, except- Section 1 certain provisional orders of General Board of Health con- The Act does not extend to Scotland or Ire- election or first selection and elec- V. General Provisions.-The general provi- It contains 343 sections or clauses, and is the conduct of business, the appointment and I. Preliminary.-This part is almost en- II. Authorities for Execution of the Act.- This part provides for the division of the whole of England into rural and urban sanitary dis- tricts, describes the authorities, and lays down III. Sewerage and Drainage.—This division provides authorities with the necessary powers for constructing sewers and dealing with sew- age, and, generally speaking, confers on local authorities power to enforce drainage where It enacts penalties for building houses with- out privy accommodation, and gives power to It provides for the scavenging and cleans- the duties of the officers of local autho- VI. Rating and Borrowing Powers.-This division defines the expenses of the different authorities, makes provision for meeting those expenses by rates, gives power to borrow for certain sanitary purposes, and provides for the efficient audit of the accounts. VII. Legal Proceedings.-This portion of the Act contains sections setting forth in de- tail the legal procedure for the prosecution of offences, and the recovery of penalties; pro- viding an appeal in certain cases to Quarter Sessions, in others to the Local Government Board; it also lays down the exact manner in which notices are to be served. VIII. Alteration of Areas and Union of Dis- tricts. This portion gives very large powers to the Local Government Board in regard to the alteration of areas and the union of districts, not alone for sewerage and general purposes, but also for the purpose of appointing a medi- cal officer of health; it also provides for the It contains important sections relative to the supply, storing, and protection of water; it regulates lodging-houses, defines nuisances, forbids the unauthorised establishment of offensive trades in urban districts, gives IX. Local Government Board.-This part of powers with regard to unhealthy or unsound the Act is exclusively devoted to sections re- foods, contains provisions as to the establish-lating to the powers, orders, and proceedings ment of hospitals, the prevention of infectious of the Local Government Board. IV. Local Government Provisions. This portion of the Act relates entirely to urban X. Miscellaneous and Temporary Provisions. B to main sewerage, district and joint sewerage boards, and a few other matters. XI. Saving Clauses and Repeal of Acts.This division, as its title implies, contains various saving clauses, and is followed by the schedules. The various sections of the Public Health Act and its schedules will be found, either in detail or in substance, throughout this work; and in quoting the Act the abbreviation P. H. will be employed. Act Regulating Sale of Intoxicating Liquors (35 & 36 Vict. c. 94)-See ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES. Act, Sanitary, 1866 (29 & 30 Vict. c. 90) The first, second, and third parts of this Act are repealed, except so far as relates to the Metropolis, or to Scotland or Ireland; the whole of the Sanitary Act, 1868 (31 & 32 Vict. c. 115), and the whole of the Sanitary Act, 1870, except so far as relates to the Metropolis, is repealed, and the main provisions of the whole three Acts are included in the Public Health Act, 1875. Act, Sanitary Loans, 1869 (32 & 33 Vict. c. 100)-The whole of this Act, except so far as relates to the Metropolis, is repealed; its main provisions are embodied in the Public Health Act, 1875. See EXPENSES, WATERSUPPLY, &c. Acts, Sewage Utilisation (28 & 29 Vict. c. 75, and 30 & 31 Vict. c. 113)-The whole of these Acts are repealed, except so far as relates to Scotland or Ireland. Act, Towns Improvement Clauses, 1847 (10 & 11 Vict. c. 34)-The following provisions of this Act are incorporated in the Public Health Act, 1875, and refer exclusively to urban districts: 1. With respect to naming the streets and numbering the houses. 2. With respect to improving the line of the streets and removing obstructions. 3. With respect to ruinous or dangerous buildings. 4. With respect to precautions during the construction and repair of the sewers, streets, and houses. 5. With respect to the regulation of slaughter-houses. Notices for alterations under the 69th, 70th, and 71st sections, directions under the 73d section, and orders under the 74th section of the said Towns Improvement Clauses Act, may, at the option of the urban authority, be served on owners instead of occupiers, or on owners as well as occupiers, and the cost of works done under any of these sections may, when notices have been so served on owners, be recovered from owners instead of occupiers; and when such cost is recovered from occupiers, so much thereof may be deducted from the rent of the premises where the work is done as is allowed in the case of private improvement rates under the Act. (P. H., 160.) (10 & 11 Vict. c. 89)-The following pro Act, Towns Police Clauses, 1847 visions of this Act are incorporated with the Public Health Act, 1875 : 1. With respect to obstructions and nuisances in the streets. 2. With respect to fires. 3. With respect to places of public resort. 4. With respect to hackney carriages. 5. With respect to bathing. The Act applies to urban districts only (P. H., 171). Act, Watching and Lighting (3 & 4 Will. IV. c. 90) is now superseded by the Public Health Act (38 & 39 Vict. c. 55, s. 163). See GAS. Act, Water-Works Clauses, 1863 -This Act is incorporated with the Public Health Act (38 & 39 Vict. c. 55, s. 57), and also certain clauses of the Water-Works Act, 1847. See WATER. Adipocere-See SAPONIFICATION. Adulteration-This term is only properly applied to the adding of substances to articles of commerce, food, or drink, for the purposes of deception or gain; but the term by magistrates and analysts is often practically applied to accidental impurity, or even in some cases to actual substitution.* The Society of Public Analysts have unanimously adopted the following definition of an adulterated article. An article shall be deemed to be adulterated A. In the case of food or drink 1. If it contain any ingredient which may render such article injurious to the health of a consumer. 2. If it contain any substance that sensibly increases its weight, bulk, or strength, or gives it a fictitious value, unless the amount of such substance present be due to circumstances necessarily appertaining to its collection or manufacture, or be necessary for its preservation, or unless the presence thereof be acknowledged at the time of sale. 3. If any important constituent has been wholly or in part abstracted or omitted, unless acknowledgment of such abstraction or omission be made at the time of sale. *Eg., a person was fined under the Adulteration Act for selling as citrate of magnesia a substance which did not contain a particle of that salt, and a hawker for selling cigars in which there was no tobacco at all. |