[Report 1902] / Medical Officer of Health, Newark R.D.C.

  • Newark-on-Trent (England). Rural District Council.
Date:
1902
Catalogue details

Licence: Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0)

Credit: [Report 1902] / Medical Officer of Health, Newark R.D.C. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    17/22 (page 15)
    has undergone oxidation and thus far purification. But in most samples the oxidation is tar from perfect, as is shown by the excess ot albuminoid ammonia and of oxygen absorbed in four hours. J o Quite undrinkable are the following : Samples 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7. Samples 2, 3, and 8 are more completely oxidised, especially 8, which is by far the best of the samples, though itself highly unsatisfactory. If there is any choice of water-supply in the district I would say without hesitation, that the use of the eight wells from which these samples were taken should at once be discontinued. If there is no choice for the present, I would adandon numbers 1, 4, 5, 6, and 7 at once, and as soon as practicable the three others. Sewage-polluted water is not necessarily injurious. Such water may often be drunk with impunity for many years, especially by persons immuned by long use. But the completion of natural oxidation can never be quite relied upon, as Irom many causes, such as heavy rainfall, strong frost, or disturbance of the soil of the neighbour- hood of the well, the unoxidised sewage may at any time make its appearance in the supply. If such sewage should happen to be infected with pathogenic organisms an outbreak of illness would naturally follow. The only prudent course, therefore, is to adandon supplies that are polluted, and in the present case it is much to be hoped, in the interests of the health of the inhabitants, that an alternative supply is available. If not, it is a matter of urgency that a pure supply be sought and obtained. OTTO HEHNER.