104 



MICRO-ORGANISMS IN WATER 



Bubner l has conducted a series of investigations on 

 the bacterial contents of a well in Marburg, in which 

 some instructive information was obtained as to the 

 manner in which the microbial condition of such water 

 may be altered by the introduction of any disturbing 

 causes. 



The well selected for these experiments was situated 

 in an unused cellar of the Hygienic Institute at Marburg. 

 The soil in which the well was sunk was loam, mixed 

 with a small quantity of sand, and only a small yield of 

 water was obtained. The well was never used, and to 

 all intents and purposes therefore was stagnant water. 

 Although stagnant, this water contained a remarkably 

 small number of bacteria, as is seen by reference to the 

 following table : 



Bacterial Contents of a Stagnant Well-water (Rubner) 



In the course of his experiments, wishing to ascer- 

 tain the effect on the bacterial composition of the water 

 of disturbing the mud at the bottom of the well, Eubner 

 first took a sample of the water, and then stirred up the 

 mud until the water became turbid. The following 

 table records the results of his observations : 



1 ' Beitrag zur Lehre von den Wasserbacterien,' Arcliiv fur Hygiene, 

 vol. xi. p. 365, 1890. 



