6 BULLETIN 369, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
fied. 1 Without attaching 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 culturally 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 summarized 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 turn out a product free from 
contamination. This is demonstrated to be commercially possible, 
without burdensome restrictions, by the number of firms already mar- 
keting water free from contamination. It is equally evident in th( 
ability of other firms to produce clean water after the need of doim 
so has been emphasized by court action. 
1 Identifications were made by Dr. Charles Thorn, of the Bureau of Chemistry. 
