London's Pulse: Medical Officer of Health reports 1848-1972

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Hints from the Health Department. Leaflet from the archive of the Society of Medical Officers of Health. Credit: Wellcome Collection, London

Hayes and Harlington 1933

[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Hayes]

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Table: SUMMARY OF REPORTS ON WATER SAMPLES SUBMITTED FOR BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION.

SUMMARY OF REPORTS ON WATER SAMPLES SUBMITTED FOR BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION.

Report No.Organisms produced on gelatine plates incubated at 20°C. for 3 days.Organisms produced on agar plates incubated at 37.5° C. for 2 days.B. Coli.Streptococci.B. Enteritidis Sporogenes.REMARKS.
33163190 per c.c.280 per c.c.Present in 2 c.c.Not found in 30 c.c.Present in 100 c.c.The water is seen to contain a large number of micro-organisms including some of excremental origin. The absence of streptococci suggests that the contamination is not recent and that the water may improve in quality. The close proximity of drains and cesspools is, however, very undesirable, and the water will always be open to suspicion, particularly during long spells of hot weather.
33162520 per c.c.373 per c.c.Present in 0 1 c.c.Present in 20 c.c.Present in 25 c.c.The above results show the water to contain a considerable number of excremental organisms and it cannot be regarded as safe for drinking purposes in its present condition.
331644.800 per c.c.1,900 per c.c.Present in 1 c.c.Present in 30 c.c.Present in 10 c.c.The water contains a very large number of microorganisms including many of excremental origin. The remarks to No. 33163 would appear to be equally applicable in this case, but the contamination in this instance is very much heavier.
3649143 per c.c.4 per c.c.Not found in 100 c.c.Not found in 30c.c..Not found in 100 c.c.The water has a commendably low bacterial content and from a bacteriological point of view is most suitable for drinking purposes.