Excerpt from The Theory and Practice of Hygiene (Notter and Firth)

The analysis Of water and air has necessarily been considered in some detail, not only from the chemical but also from the biological point Of view; this latter aspect of the question has been so much developed during recent years as to constitute almost a distinct branch of study. In endeavouring to give explanations of methods for the bacteriological examination of water and air, we have adhered to the principle of advocating only such methods of research as come within the possibilities Of the duties of a Medical Officer of Health, and which, in our hands, have been found to be practically useful.

The subjects of Ventilation and Heating have been considered at some length, and advisedly so, because experience has indicated to us that these are matters usually imperfectly treated in the majority of text-books, and are subjects, too, upon which students and others are inadequately informed.

The accounts Of Scurvy and the dietetic value of Alcohol are given, with the exception of some minor verbal alterations, in much of the original language of Dr Parkes. Our knowledge upon these matters has been so little changed during recent years that it was felt that very little improvement could be made upon the original statements. Similarly, the chapters upon Exercise and Clothing have been but slightly altered by us.

One matter of great difficulty has been the question of Sanitary Law. While fully recognising the importance of every sanitary officer studying the various legislative enactments bearing upon the Public Health in their original form, and the difficulties in the way of either making a legal chapter interesting or profitable reading, we have endeavoured, in the section which deals with sanitary legislation, to overcome these objections and to construct a chapter which may be not only interesting but useful.

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