Water analysis, as it should, and as it should not, be performed by the Medical Officer of Health. With illustrations / by Cornelius B. Fox.

Date:
1875
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Water analysis, as it should, and as it should not, be performed by the Medical Officer of Health. With illustrations / by Cornelius B. Fox. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    Every water analyst should have waters collected in stoppered bottles supplied by himself, which have been thoroughly cleansed with a strong acid before leaving his laboratory. Having estimated the amount of organic matter, of am- monia, of solid residue, of chlorine, and the degree of hard- ness of a water, we are in a position to answer the question as to whether the water is wholesome. It will he urged, with reason, that such an analysis as this, however desirable it may he, cannot he undertaken by the Medical Officer of Health, for so much time would he consumed in water examinations as to leave hut little for other work. It is hut rarely that I make a complete analysis of this kind, unless it he for a sanitary report, when the question arises as to which of two or three springs should he selected for the water supply of a village that is destitute of pure water. If the question, “Is this water wholesome and good 1 ” Mode of he addressed to me, I immediately ask whether any illness extent of or disease has been attributed to the employment of it. Many send a sample of their drinking water for analysis, actuated by motives of simple curiosity. I decline to ex- amine these waters, with a polite intimation that I have no time. If there is a suspicion lest the water has interfered with the health of any person or persons, inquiries are made as to whether there is any reason for suspecting the presence of organic matter or metallic poisons, or whether the appli- cant finds the water too hard for domestic purposes, or whether it is brackish or purgative. In fact, I ask what reason there is for complaining of the water. In this way the extent of the analysis is limited, and the applicant obtains the information required. In the majority of cases that present themselves, the question arises as to the amount of organic matter, whether within or beyond the permissible limit. analysis.
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