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
Harrow 1937
[Report of the Medical Officer of Health for Harrow]
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21
No complaints regarding the water supply have been received
during the year and no samples submitted for analysis.
The following are the results of two samples of water taken in this district, provided by the courtesy of Mr. Purves Sinclair, General Manager of the Company.
| Results in parts per Sample A. | 100,000. Sample B. | |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Bright | Bright |
| Colour | O mm | O mm |
| Odour | Normal | Normal |
| Reaction pH | 7.4 | 7.2 |
| Total Solids dried at 180° C. | 33.0 | 41.0 |
| Chlorine in Chlorides | 5.14 | 6.05 |
| Nitrogen in Nitrates | 0.47 | 0.44 |
| Nitrogen in Nitrates | Absent | Absent |
| Hardness—Total | 15.2 | 15.6 |
| Permanent | 2.8 | 1.4 |
| Temporary | 12.4 | 14.2 |
| Metals—Lead | Absent | Absent |
| Copper | Absent | Absent |
| Iron | 0.0040 | 0.0042 |
| Zinc | Absent | Absent |
| Free Ammonia | 0.0004 | 0.0009 |
| Albuminoid Ammonia | 0.0041 | 0.0046 |
| Oxygen absorbed in 3 hrs. at 37° C | 0.034 | 0.037 |
| Free Carbon Dioxide | 0.9 | 20 |
| No. of organisms per c.c. on agar in 24 hours at 37° C. | 1 | 9 |
| B.Coli | Absent in 100 c.c. | 100 c.c. |
| B.Welchii | Absent in 100 c.c. | 100 c.c. |
A summary of the analysis of Sample A is :—This is a bright
and colourless water which is moderate in hardness, neutral in
reaction and free from objectionable metals. The organic and
bacteriological results conform with an excellent standard. The
water may, therefore, be regarded as being pure and wholesome
and it is in every way suitable for drinking and domestic purposes.
A summary of the analysis of Sample B is :—This is a bright
and colourless water which is moderate in hardness, neutral in
reaction and free from objectionable metals. The organic and
bacteriological results conform with an excellent standard. The
water may, therefore, be regarded as being pure and wholesome
and it is in every way suitable for drinking and domestic purposes.