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
Woolwich 1932
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Woolwich]
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TABLE No. 38. Results of Chemical Analyses.
| Date. | Parts per 100,000. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuminoid Ammonia. | Oxygen absorbed in 4 hours. | Free Chlorine. | Nitrites. | |
| 11th March | 0.008 | 0.168 | 0.08 | Present |
| 27th May | 0.013 | 0.730 | 0.013 | Present |
| 27th May | 0.012 | 0.735 | 0.012 | Present |
| 10th June | 0.0074 | 0.04 | 0.03 | Absent |
| 10th June | 0.0054 | 0.035 | 0.045 | Absent |
| 6th July | 0.052 | 0.061 | 0.024 | Practically Nil |
TABLE No. 39.
Results of Bacteriological Examinations.
| Date. | No. of organisms on gelatine plates at 22° C.— 3 days. | No. of organisms on agar plates at 375 C.— 2 days. | Bacillus Coli. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11th March | 1,802 | 1,398 | Present in 10 c.c. |
| 27th May | 16,550 | 10,050 | Present in 25 c.c. |
| 27th May | 20,100 | 160 | Present in 50 c.c. |
| 10th J une | 16 | 14 | Not found in 100 c.c. |
| 10th J une | 10 | 7 | Not found in 100 c.c. |
| 6th J uly | 14 | 3 | Not found in 100 c.c. |
The makers guaranteed the plant to be capable of maintaining the filtered water
up to the following standards:—
(а) Chemical: Parts per 100,000, albuminoid ammonia, 0.02 ; oxygen absorbed
in 4 hours, 0.08; nitrites absent.
(б) Bacteriological: Total colonies not more than 200 per cubic centimetre on
gelatine plates in three days.
It will be noted from the tables shown above that, after the initial difficulties had
been overcome and the staff had become accustomed to the use of the plant, these
standards were reached and maintained.