OF WATER FOR ORGANIC MATTER. 39 



on the other, and of being used for analysis for sanitary 

 purposes, but not for all the demands of the chemist. 



Dr. Frankland next took up the subject, and proceeded 

 to show the amount of organic matter, or of sewage matter, 

 which might flow into a stream ; and this he did by esti- 

 mating the nitrogen gas obtainable from the organic 

 matter of the water. By ascertaining the amounts existing 

 in the water supplied to a town and flowing in the sewage, 

 he found the total thrown out by the inhabitants. 



For this he made an organic analysis of the residue of 

 the water, and by a very beautiful arrangement, using 

 SprengePs pump, he drew out the nitrogen for measure- 

 ment. I do not doubt that this mode adopted by Dr. 

 Frankland will always be useful, and will remain perma- 

 nent as a method, but not for constant use, on account of 

 the time required, excepting by those chemists who per- 

 form many of such analyses, and have the apparatus in 

 constant readiness. It is, however, always pleasant to find 

 an addition made to our capacity for accuracy, and espe- 

 cially when such beautiful methods are employed. 



By this means Dr. Frankland obtains the organic ni- 

 trogen, nitrates and ammonia being removable. I have 

 not generally estimated the latter, as being still more 

 unstable than the former, as I have frequently found it 

 to disappear with great rapidity, affording by no remnant 

 any clue to the past. Urea and m'ic acid must also be 

 excluded from the organic nitrogen before we obtain a 

 clue to the albuminous matter. I think, however, that 

 we require to know whether it is in a state to putrefy, 

 or to produce living forms. If there are organic germs, 

 that condition ought not to be neglected. 



Immediately, I believe, after his plan was adopted by 

 Dr. Frankland, Mr. Wanklyn discovered a mode of de- 

 composing albumen by permanganate of potash, obtaining 

 ammonia. 



