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any of the fluid be splashed (which it is difficult to avoid) into the bath
water it does not matter.
To keep the water in the swimming baths pure and free from germs
is an object to be desired, more especially when such an object can be
effected, for a short time at all events, at a cost of a few shillings.
The Superintendents of the Baths of the Borough must be commended
for the great interest they evince in keeping the swimming baths
and dressing boxes (where disease and dirt may lurk) thoroughly cleansed.
A large amount of labour is expended in this work and much time is
occupied late in the evening when the baths are closed to the public.
Full reports upon the whole matter (general, chemical and bacteriological)
were furnished to the Baths and Wash-houses Committee, and
appear in the Minutes of the Council under date 30th September, 1909.
The Baths and Washhouses Committee reported to the Council that
they were satisfied with the results of the experiments in connection with
the Swimming Baths at Poplar, and had authorised the use of the
disinfecting fluid in the whole of the Council's Swimming Baths.* The
* The electrolytic disinfectant manufactured at Poplar is practically a solution
containing hypochlorite of magnesia, which has the advantage of being non-caustic,
non-acid and non-poisonous. Other hypochlorites belong to the caustic and alkali and
alkaline-like earth groups of substances. A hypochlorite of magnesia belongs to the
magnesia group, and for commercial purposes can only be made cheaply by the aid of
electricity.
When the Electrolytic Fluid is added to water containing organic matter, a
powerful oxidisation takes place and any bacteria present are killed, the active part of
the sterilising fluid being used up, and when the fluid is added in its proper proportion
there is left behind practically a very weak solution of sea water.
Without doubt the great difficulty and anxiety will be fully appreciated which were
experienced in the repeated trials and observations for determining the right quantity
and strength of Electrolytic Fluid which should be added to the water of the swimming
baths in order to hit the happy medium so as to keep the water pure and not to
inconvenience the bathers. In the report to the Baths and Wash-houses Committee
at their meeting of the 23rd September, 1909, it was suggested after laboratory experiments
with water which had been in use for some days that—
"Into the four baths, each containing over 70,000 gallons of water, 40 gallons
"(4 carboys) of Electrolytic Fluid should be added when the baths are filled, and
"be put in while the bath is being filled in order that the fluid and bath water
"may be thoroughly mixed ; 20 gallons (2 carboys)should be added the next night,
"and 20 gallons the third night, making 80 gallons (8 carboys) in all for each
"filling. The fluid which is added after the first night should be emptied into the
" water at as many points as possible so as to get it equally distributed, "†
" Into the smaller, second-class, swimming bath at Poplar, containing 39,000
"gallons, on the night of filling 20 gallons (2 carboys) of Electrolytic Fluid should
" be added, 10 gallons (1 carboy) on the second night, 10 gallons on the third night
" (40 gallons in all, or 4 carboys), applied in the same manner as to the large baths.
† It is a good plan to pour the fluid into a bucket from which it can be scattered
into the bath water.