A Report by J. E. Mayer, Esq., Deputy Inspector General 

 of Hospitals, on the quality of the water supplied from 

 the so-called Seven Wells, the real number of which is ten, 

 for the use of the Troops at Fort St. George. 



The general characters of these waters are that all of 

 them contain animal and vegetable organisations, and 

 that the amount of these organic matters varies from 3-90 

 grains to 7*85 grains in the gallon, i. e., that the smallest 

 amount found at present doubles that which the Authorities 

 at Home consider passable. 



No attempts have in these examinations been made to 

 ascertain the respective amounts of animal and vegetable 

 matter (both being included under the head of organic 

 matters), nor, on reflection, will this appear necessary, as 

 the total amounts found are so much above that which is 

 henceforth to be permitted in water that may be pronounc- 

 ed fit for internal use. Had the total amounts found been 

 smaller and nearer the prescribed limit, the question of res- 

 pective amounts would then have assumed a practical bear- 

 ing and have become one of importance : but we are of 

 opinion that it can be scarcely so regarded in waters which 

 all of them contain organic matters so much in excess of 

 the recognised limit ; and for that reason alone must in 

 their present state be regarded as unfit for internal use. 



On the total amounts of impurities in these waters, a few 

 words will suffice, as the Reports shew that they vary 

 from 23*10 to 70*10 grains in the gallon, and that these 

 impurities contain, besides the organic matters, chlorides and 

 sulphates in various quantities. The quality of sulphates 

 in each water has not been determined, the qualitative 



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