6 BULLETIX 369_, U. S. DEPAETMEXT OF AGEICULTUEE. 



fied.^ Without attacliing too much significance to the occurrence 

 of any of these forms, it may be remarked that Actinomyces and 

 Sporotrichum are both large ill-defined groups, some of ■whose mem- 

 bers are pathogenic to man as well as to other animals. A large num- 

 ber of spores of a species of Actinomyces cultui'ally resembling the 

 pathogenic form were found in one imported water. Similarly, 

 Sporotrichum in large numbers was found in another water as taken 

 in the market and as taken directly from the spring three months 

 later. While proving nothing, such observations do not add to the 

 attractiveness of such waters. The other genera listed are regularly 

 found in soil and in decaying vegetable matter. Sufficient to say, 

 they are not indicative of cleanliness. 



CONCLUSIONS. 



Bottled water for table use should either be actually sterile or should 

 comply with a strict standard as to the number of B. coli tolerated. 



No water should be permitted to be sold which is contaminated at 

 the source in any manner. 



Inspection of springs and bottling establishments together with 

 the analysis of official samples indicates that ignorance of proper 

 precautions, carelessness, and neglect, are fully as large factors in the 

 contaminations found as are impurities actually present in the springs. 



The numbers of B. coli in official samples collected in the market 

 may be safely assumed to be less rather than greater than the num- 

 bers in the freshly bottled stock. 



The data as smnmarized show the need of improvement in the 

 bacteriological condition of many of the brands of bottled water to 

 be found in the market. Careful consideration of cases to which spe- 

 cial study has been given shows that there are some springs used for 

 the production of commercial bottled waters which should not be so 

 used. It is evident that the presence of serious and unremovable 

 contamination should shut the water of a spring permanently from 

 the market. Such contamination could easily be ascertained before 

 a water business is established. In other cases, the contaminations 

 found are clearly those of manipulation. Before a person undertakes 

 to operate a water business he should be prepared both in equip- 

 ment and in operating knowledge to tm"n out a product free from 

 contamination. This is demonstrated to be conunercially possible, 

 without burdensome restrictions, by the number of firms already mar- 

 keting water free from contamination. It is equally evident in the 

 ability of other firms to jDroduce clean water after the need of doing 

 so has been emphasized by court action. 



I Identifications were made by Dr. Charles Thorn, of the Bureau of Chemistry. 



