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53
effluent is of relatively small bulk and is turned into a stream which is not used for domes lie
purposes (as is the case in the lower Thames) or else when the effluent is to be subsequently treated
by land irrigation." And it was asserted that "the mere solution of the great mass of the
suspended matters by bacterial agencies, which is, perhaps, common to all the different processes
at present under trial, is a sufficient vindication of the enormous advantage to be gained by the
biological treatment of sewage."
In conclusion reference was made to the systems of sewage disposal advocated by Messrs.
Scott-Moncrieff, Cameron, Ducat, Dibdin and Thudichum, etc.
In Table I. (pages 28 to 31) the results were given of the bacteriological examination of
Crossness crude sewage, the effluent from the 4-foot coke-bed, the effluent from the 6-foot cokebed,
and the effluent from the laboratory vessel (effluent from 6-foot coke-bed again treated in the
laboratory at Crossness).
Most of the results recorded in this table have already been summarised, but it is worthy of
note that besides searching for B. enteritidis and B. coli the attempt was also made to estimate the
number as well as the character of other microbes present in the crude sewage and effluents, and
that notes under this heading are recorded in the table.
Thus, the micro-organism called "sewage proteus"* was found to be present in great
numbers (usually more than 100,000 in 1 c.c.) both in the crude sewage and effluents.
In Table 2 (pages 32-33) the results were shown of the bacteriological examination of the
effluents from the Crossness and Barking Outfall Works and of the water of the River Thames. As
regards the effluents from the Barking and Crossness precipitation tanks it may be said that they
were no better, if, indeed, they were not worse than average samples of crude sewage. As regards
Thames water, samples were taken at Greenhithe and Barking in such a way as to avoid, as far as
this was possible, the influence of sewage discharge. These samples in their bacterial composition
resembled dilute crude sewage. Samples were also collected high up the river, namely (1) between
Sunbury and Hampton, just above the intake of the Southwark and Vauxhall Water Company
(dry weather) and (2) at Twickenham (very wet weather). The former contained 40 gas-forming
B. coli in 1 c.c. B. enteritidis sporoqenes was present in 300 c.c. (1 c.c. of the culture killed a guineapig
in less than 21 hours), but not in 100 c.c. The latter contained 100 gas-forming B. coli, and at
least 10, but less than 100 spores of B. enteritidis per. c.c.
Thus it will be seen that Thames water at Barking and Greenhithe was no better than dilute
crude sewage, and even as high up as near Hampton and Twickenham showed distinct evidence of
pollution of the most objectionable kind.
These experiments were undertaken with a two-fold object.
In the first place to show that the effluents from the chemical precipitation tanks were no
better, if, indeed, they were not worse than the effluents from the bacterial coke-beds, and secondly
to demonstrate the fact that Thames water is already grossly polluted, and contains practically all
the bacteria to be found in the effluents.
In section V. (pages 33-40) a description was given of some of the bacteria found in the
crude sewage and in the effluents from the coke-beds.
In illustration of the Report there were 14 diagrams, 24 micro-photographs, and 4 diagrammatic
drawings.
3.—SUMMARY OF THE CONTENTS OF THE SUPPLEMENT TO THE SECOND REPORT.†
In this Report a description was given of the results of the bacteriological examination of
the deposit which accumulates on the coke of the coke-beds. The Report covered work carried out
during May, June, and July, 1899.
A sample of the deposit from the coke-bed at Barking contained 1,800,000 microbes; and
at least 10,000 but less than 100,000 spores of B. enteritidis sporogenes per gramme. Further,
two mice inoculated with small portions of the deposit died of tetanus.
Stained, as for tubercle, a large number of "acid-fast" bacteria were found in the deposit.
Other samples of deposit from the same and from other coke-beds were also found to contain these
bacteria; and when crude sewage and effluents from coke-beds were centrifugalised and the deposit
stained a similar result was obtained. Experiments on animals were negative with one exception;
in this case the animal died of true tuberculosis.
In concluding the report it was said that—
I. In crude sewage, in bacterial coke-beds, and in the effluents from bacterial beds
there are certain bacteria which, after being stained with hot carbol fuchsin, resist decolorisation
with 33 per cent. nitric acid.
II. Some of these "acid-fast" bacteria cannot, with certainty, be morphologically
distinguished from the tubercle bacillus.
III. In one instance a guinea-pig inoculated with the deposit accumulating on the
coke of a bacterial bed died, and presented on examination the appearance of death from
tubercle infection, and sections of its organs, when appropriately stained, showed the
presence of numerous tubercle bacilli.
In illustration of the Report there were 10 micro-photographs and 1 coloured drawing.
* A full description of the morphological and biological characters of this bacillus is given on pages 36 and
37 of the Second Report.
† Supplement to the Second Report. Notes on the deposit winch accumulates on the coke fragments of
the coke-beds at Crossness.