XVIII.~THE PURIFICATION OF REFUSE WATER. 



By E. Reichardt, of Jena.* 

 [Translated by Herman Jacobson.] 



It is of great importance, not only for hygiene, but also for pisciculture 

 and agriculture, that this whole matter should be more fully investi- 

 gated, both theoretically and i^ractically, in order to gain and diffiise 

 knowledge. 



I have on a former occasion published a treatise on this subject in 

 this journal (vol. 209, p. 1), but, urged from many sides, I will not hesitate 

 to reproduce, part of this treatise, embodying all the recent discoveries. 



It is an undoubted fact that refuse of various kinds is in a reckless 

 manner thrown into public waters, thus doing injury to public health 

 and depriving agriculture of valuable fertilizing matter, and finally de- 

 populating brooks and rivers of fish, which form so valuable an article 

 of food. 



The objection that this had been so from time immemorial does not 

 hold good ; no bad habit like this could ever be justified even by the 

 usage of ages. Not. even old-established manufactures can claim such 

 a privilege, because the progress of industry, based on the progress of 

 chemistry, has taught us to make use of a number of hurtful and un- 

 healthy substances whose refuse flows into public waters. Any such priv- 

 ilege, very questionable in itself, cannot possibly include innovations of 

 every kind which were formerly quite unknown. 



Every man ought to he held responsible for any injury to imhlic interests 

 caused hy his business. 



Since the above principle is often carried out very rigorously with re- 

 gard to street-cleaning, &c., why should this not be done with regard to 

 public water in brooks, rivers, and ponds? If changes in any branch 

 of industry, even if these changes only mean an enlargement of the 

 business, involve hurtful influences,it can justly be demanded that such 

 influences should be neutralized. 



Chemistry is not only one of the strongest levers of modern industry, 

 but it certainly falls within its province to remedy all injuries to public 

 property caused by industry. Chemical knowledge should not only be 

 utilized in a one-sided manner for the benefit of various industries, but 



* BeinUjuno (lis AhfaUivofiScrs. Von E. Eeicliardt in Jena. Arcliiv der Pliarmacie, vol. 

 xii, Halle, 1879. 



519 



