BOTANICAL 



Qardbh 



THE BACTERIOLOGICAL EXAMINATION OF 



RIVER WATER.* 



Walter C. G. Kirchner, A.B., M.D. 



It was while employed as assistant Bacteriologist in the 

 Health Department of St. Louis, engaged in the examination 

 of the water of the Mississippi, the Missouri and the Illinois 

 rivers, and of the Chicago Drainage Canal, that opportunity 

 was offered for making certain observations which form the 

 basis for this paper. With few interruptions I was engaged 

 in this bacteriological work for a period of about two years 

 extending from September, 1899, to December, 1901. 



The bacteriological investigation of these streams was 

 undertaken under the supervision of Dr. Amand Ravold, 

 formerly City Bacteriologist, and, besides myself, there were 

 also engaged in the work Mr. George A. Johnson, Dr. C. 

 A. Snodgras and Dr. Wm. H. Rush. 



In dealing with this subject the object of the writer is not 

 so much to present data which are absolutely new, but rather 

 to show to those not familiar with the subject what is implied 

 by a bacteriological water examination and to point out cer- 

 tain difficulties which are encountered not only in making 

 bacteriological tests, but also in the interpretation of the 

 results of such analyses. The public, as a rule, is very slow 

 in giving proper consideration to a municipal water supply, 

 and is mostly interested in the results or effects of the water 

 on the community, while scientists, more particularly chem- 

 ists, bacteriologists, and sanitarians who have to deal with 

 these problems, are interested not only in the results, but also 

 in the causes which contribute to make the water bad or 

 wholesome. The public merely wishes to know if the water 

 is good. The scientist, moreover, is expected to determine 

 why the water is good or bad, and if bad, he is urged to 

 recommend measures so that the proper remedy be applied. 

 In certain cases the examination may be a very simple mat- 



* Read before The Academy of Science, December 19, 1904. 



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