carefully taking notes at the time, or the testimony of others, to prove its actual state at the time of seizure. He should also see that it is in safe custody, so that its identity cannot be reasonably doubted. Hence there should be a wellventilated and convenient place in connection with his office in which such articles may be deposited.

Before concluding this chapter, it may be useful to refer the reader to Dr. Letheby's valuable remarks on this subject in his work on Food, because his experience and chemical knowledge as a medical officer of health are almost unrivalled. After referring to the meat of animals suffering from smallpox and virulent spotted fever of the nature of typhus, he adds, "I feel that the question of the fitness of such meat for food is in such an unsettled state that my action in the matter is often very uncertain, and I should like to have the question experimentally determined; for as it now stands, we are either condemning large quantities of meat which may be eaten with safety, and are therefore confiscating property and lessening the supply of food, or we are permitting unwholesome meat to pass almost unchallenged in the public markets."

CHAPTER V.

OFFENSIVE PROCESSES OF TRADE.

IO. HE SHALL ENQUIRE INTO ANY OFFENSIVE PROCESS OF TRADE CARRIED ON WITHIN HIS DISTRICT, AND REPORT ON THE APPROPRIATE MEANS FOR THE PREVENTION OF ANY NUISANCE OR INJURY TO HEALTH THEREFROM.

THE trades which are offensive or dangerous are very numerous, and although within the district assigned to any medical officer of health they may be few, it is desirable that they should be known to him. The following is a list of those pursued in France, with the cause of complaint assigned to each; but no such list has been prepared of English manufactories. So far as the same trades are carried on in the two countries, one may suffice, but there are doubtless some in England which are not found in France, and it will be desirable for the medical officer of health, as well as his inspector of nuisances, to add such as may be in operation in their several localities. It is probable that but little difficulty will arise in determining such as are offensive, but it may be very difficult to suggest "appropriate means for the prevention of any nuisance or injury to health therefrom.”