whence the water absorbs poisonous gases. The overflow pipes
should in all cases be entirely disconnected with, all drains, and the
cisterns should, if possible have a cover. The cisterns should
invariably be cleaned out thoroughly at least every three months.

In places where the water is drawn from wells great care should be
taken that the well cannot be contaminated by any drain or cesspool
leaking into it. Many cases of serious illness, notably diphtheria,
have been traced to this cause. When there is the least reason to
doubt the purity of the well all the water for drinking purposes
should be boiled before using, and no time should be lost in having it
examined by an experienced analyst. All water that is used for
drinking should be first filtered through a _reliable_ filter. Small
glass filters for the table can now be obtained in every town for two
or three shillings.

[GOOD WARE MAKES A QUICK MARKET.]

2759. Other Evils besides "Adulterations."

The butcher cannot adulterate the beef and the mutton, but he can send
home _short weight;_ and in casting up a bill, he can reckon the odd
ounces at one penny each, instead of one halfpenny; and the baker,
besides putting alum into the bread, to make it white and retain
water, can send home deficient weight; the same with the grocer, the
greengrocer, and the coal merchant; the publican can give short
measure, and froth up the porter to fill the jug and disguise the
shortness of quantity; and the draper can slip his scissors on the
wrong side of his finger, and make a yard contain only thirty-three
inches. We don't mean to say that they _do_ this, nor do we mean to
say that they _don't._ We argue, _that people ought to possess the
means of ascertaining who among shopkeepers are honest, and who are
not;_ then the just would meet with justice, and the unjust would
suffer for their own sins.

2760. Nutritious Proportions.

Bread contains eighty nutritious parts in 100; meal, thirty-four in
100; French beans, ninety-two in 100; common beans, eighty-nine in
100; peas, ninety-three in 100; lentils, ninety-four in 100; cabbages
and turnips, the most aqueous of all the vegetables compared, produce
only eight pounds of solid matter in 100 pounds; carrots and spinach
produce fourteen in the same quantity; whilst 100 pounds of potatoes
contain twenty-five pound