View report page

11
?ems to be an unobjectionable stream. The examination of the mixed stream shows
tat the pure Ravensbourne water is contaminated with about 1/8 of its bulk of Poole
?wage, whereby it is, of course, rendered quite unsuitable to serve as a source of water
appty-
The actual addition to the impurity of the Ravensbourne water by the influx of the
?oole sewage, though seemingly not very great, is, nevertheless, most important from
?s highly objectionable character. The additional half grain of animal organic matter
?er gallon, contributed to the Ravensbourne by the Poole, is of much more consequence
? a sanitary point of view than the grain and a half of vegetable organic matter
?riginally existing in it.
The bad effects produced by the influx of the Poole sewage doubtless became less
?atense lower down the Ravensbourne—the organic matter being gradually altered by
?xidation; but the water at Catford Mill, though less turbid than that higher up, was
?ound to manifest much the same chemical characters, so far as regards its dissolved
?onstituents.
William Odling, M.B., F.R.S., Fellow of the
Royal College of Physicians, and Professor of
Practical Chemistry at Guy's Hospital.
F. E. Wilkinson, L.R.C.P.E., M.R.C.S,
L.A.C., Medical Officer of Health for the
Sydenham, Lewisham District.
15th August, 1861.