[Report 1900] / Medical Officer of Health, Maidstone U.D.C. / Borough.

  • Maidstone (England). Urban District Council.
Date:
1900
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1900] / Medical Officer of Health, Maidstone U.D.C. / Borough. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    31/38 (page 29)
    2.—When during certain seasons of the year it is neces¬ sary to have an intermittent instead of a constant supply of water. The arrangement of the hydrant now in use, a sketch of which is attached, is such that there is a receptacle between the surface of the road and the main capable of holding a gallon of water. This receptacle becomes filled with water washed off the surface of the roads, and hence may, and doubtless often does contain all kinds of filth. This polluted water is kept out of the mains when full by a vulcanite ball, maintained in position in an indiarubber socket by the pressure of water in the main. When however under the circumstances above mentioned the pressure in the main is reduced, down goes the ball, and these dangerous surface washings gain access to the water mains, there being in fact an actual communication between the road and the main, through a space large enough to admit a man’s hand. In all there are 279 of these obsolete hydrants on the water system, and in consequence we have that number of points of great danger where at any moment specific polluting material may enter. I cannot urge too strongly the danger we are incurring to the health of the inhabitants, and the very great importance of remedying without delay such a defective system. It may be of interest to state that briefly the history of this nematode is that in its embryo stage it burrows into certain insect larva), which are swallowed by water beetles and other aquatic predatory insects, and in the bodies of these insects they become encysted. In due course they are discharged into the water, and here finding suitable surroundings, develop into young and perfect nematodes, some 4in. long, such as were con¬ tained in the specimen submitted. I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, C. PYE OLIVEE, Medical Officer of Health. November 20th, 1900.