101 



STERILISATION OF WATER. 



MM. Marmier and Abraham have studied the methods of render- 

 ing drinking water baeteriologic;illv pure, with a view to supply such 

 pure water to towns on an industrial scale. The municipal authorities 

 of Lille authorised them to instal an apparatus for the production of 

 ozone, in order to find out by experiment what was the value of that 

 substance when applied to the purification of water by means of appara- 

 tus and methods specially devised for the purpose. Experiments made 

 from Deeember 10, 1898, to February 12. 1899, have already led to 

 certain conclusions, which are set forth by A. Calmette, one of the 

 experts appointed on the Water < Jommission by the town of Lille. The 

 efficacy of the ozonising apparatus is unquestionable, and the method 

 is superior to all ethers that have been tried, and is suitable for dealing 

 with large quantities of water. The apparatus itself is sufficiently 

 strong, and its output is regular enough to justify its use in industrial 

 operations. All the pathogenic or saprophytic microbes met with in the 

 waters under experiment were destroyed by passiug the waters through 

 the ozonising apparatus. A few of the Bacillus subtilis alone survived the 

 ordeal. One only of these germs was found capable of remaining in 15 

 c.c. of abater that had been treated with ozone in the proportion of six 

 milligrammes per litre of air. A concentration of 9 milligrammes per 

 litre reduces the number to 1 in every '25 c.c. of water so treated. It 

 is important to note, however, that the B. subtilis is harmless to man 

 and to animals, hence the weaker concentration of ozone is sufficient for 

 the purpose. The water, moreover, is weaker in organic matter than 

 ordinary drinking water, and is less prone to ulterior pollution, and is 

 more agreeable to the palate by reason of the process of aeration which 

 it undergoes. The Water Commission has recommended the adoption of 

 the process by the authorities of Lille. — (Annales de l'lnst.Pasteur, 13 

 344.) Pharmaceutical Journal. 



USE OF FUNGI AGAINST INSECT PESTS. 



A recent number of the " Cape Agricultural Journal " contains a 

 report of an address given by Dr. Edington on the artificial use of a 

 particular fungus, said to be parasitic to locusts, for the destruction of 

 the latter. The results so far obtained with the fungus in question 

 appear to be at considerable variance, some farmers stating that they 

 have derived great benefit from its application, whilst others assert as 

 positively that it has been of no use whatever. A great deal must of 

 necessity depend upon the circumstances in which this, together with 

 other such similar living-destroying agencies, are employed, and Dr. 

 Edington, an the course of his lecture, pointed out what he considered the 

 best methods for promoting the successful use of this fungus. If locusts 

 can be destroyed is so simple a manner as this is described to be, the 

 gain to the Cape farmers will be enormous, and at any rate means 

 should be adopted so that its use may become more widely known, and 

 more extensive trials given to it. The use of fungi for the destruction 



