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
Kensington 1876
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Kensington]
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69
As usual the West Middlesex delivered the best water of the
five companies drawing their supply from the Thames.
In the following table, which shows the amount of organic elements (organic carbon and organic nitrogen) in it, and in the Thames water supplied to this parish :—
| Sources. | Maximum. | Minimum, | Average. | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Wells. Kent | 0.1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | |
| West Middlesex | Thames | 6.7 | 1.8 | 3.3 |
| Grand Junction | 7.6 | 1.9 | 3.6 | |
| Chelsea | 7.0 | 1.9 | 3.9 | |
The following table exhibits the results of observations as to the degree of efficiency of filtration of Thames water distributed by the Companies:—
| Names of Companies. | Number of occasions when clear and transparent. | Number of occasions • when slightly turbid. | Number of occasions when turbid. | Number of occasions when very turbid. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Middlesex | 12 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Grand Junction | 8 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Chelsea | 7 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
The subjoined table shows how frequently these organisms have been observed in the water supplied by the local companies:—
| Names of Companies. | Number of occasions when moving organisms were found | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1869 | 1870 | 1871 | 1872 | 1873 | 1874 | 1875 | 1876 | |
| West Middlesex | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Grand Junction | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 3 |
| Chelsea | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 4 | 4 |
The "hardness" of the Thames water, or the weight of carbonate
of lime, or its equivalent of other soap destroying substances, found
in 100,000 parts of water, was, on an average 20° or parts in
1875, and 19°.8 or parts in 1876. Large quantities of soap or soda
are required to soften the water before it is used for washing. This
softening could be accomplished for a small fraction of the expense
before the distribution of the water by the use of lime as practised on