354
with a tarry composition which imparted a slight yellow colour to the water for some months. There is no reason to suppose that the value of the water from a dietetic point of view was in any way affected by this colouration. A slight increase in the amount of oxygen absorbed was the only noticeable analytical feature. All inconvenience, however, in this respect has now disappeared, the sample analyzed in December was not found to differ from a specimen of Pokfulam water collected in the City.
The other samples of water analyzed for the Board were from the new public Laundries. Complaints had been made by the washermen that the water was unsuitable for Laundry purposes. The analyses did not, however, support their views. The water was found to differ in no important particular from water collected from streams on the hill slopes of the Island.
18. Nineteen samples of water were analyzed for the Royal Naval Authorities during the year. This service was instituted in 1891 at the request of Commodore E. CHURCH. The results of the analyses of samples taken from the Contractor's tank alongside H.M.S. Victor Emanuel are set forth in the following table and may be taken as indicating the quality of the water supplied to the British Royal Navy.
WATER ANALYSIS.
H.M. S. "Victor Emanuel.”
1892.
*
Appearance. Total solids.
Chlorine,
Saline ammonia.
Albuminoid ammonia.
Oxygen absorbed.
Nitrites.
January
7,. 28,.
f. y. d. op.
3.4
1.0
Nonc
.0028
.001
None
.8
.0028
39
.027
"
February 11,............
p.y. d. t.
3.9
.9
.0021
.0112
.020
39
"
27,*****
.9
None
.0056
.016
>>
">
March April
16,..... clear; p. y.
3.6
.8
.0014
.0021
.010
19
8.......
P. y. d.
3.6
None
.0042
.020
}}
"
26,.
4.4
.0014
.0035
>>
*}
.023
May
13,..
y. d. t.
3.9
.9
None
.0042
.025
"
30,.
p.y. fl. dep.
3.9
.9
.0049
.0042
.031
June
18,.
p.y.
7
.0014
.0056
.060
"
وو
July
8....
p. y.
3.6
.8
.0014
.0042
.026
"J
"
>>
30,.
p.y. clear
.9
.0014
.0028
.010
August 22,.....
35
p. y. fl. dep.
1.1
None
.0028
.033
17
f. y.; cl.
4.5
1.7
.0007
,0028
.027
27
3....... 24,.
.8
O
.0028
.0042
.026
3.9
1.1
,0035
.0021
.018
99
.9
.0014
.0084
"?
P. J.; s. t.
.035
.9
.0014
.0028
.015
29
September 12,.............
October
"}
November 8....... December 5,.
*
P-y. s. d. f. y'. cl.
turbid
Abbreviations:-c-clear; b.-bright; y-yellow; p.-pale; f—faint; d.-deposit; t.-turbid; fl.-flocculent; s.-alight; m.-milky.
19. It will be seen that the water has been fairly constant in composition throughout the year. The water is of good quality but the appearance might be improved by careful filtration through sand.
20. The specimens of water analyzed for the Colonel Commanding, the Royal Engineers, were from wells in the Kowloon peninsula from which supplies had been obtained for the use of the Hongkong Regiment. One of the waters was unmistakably polluted. It is to be hoped that the time is not far distant when residents in the Kowloon peninsula will not have to rely on shallow wells for a supply of water for dietetic purposes.
MISCELLANEOUS.
21. Fourteen gravimetric determinations of sugar in the urine of patients suffering from diabetes were made during the year at the request of the Superintendent of the Civil Hospital.
22. A specimen of alleged medicated wine, which was having a large sale among the Chinese as an invigorating tonic, was examined at the request of the Police Magistrate with a view to ascertaining whether or not it came within the scope of the Spirits Ordinance, No. 21 of 1886. As this was mainly a legal question I could not assist the Court further than submitting an analytical statement. The following are the results of the analysis expressed in percentages by weight:-Alcohol 19.5 ; Extract 10.26; Mineral matter .16; Saccharoid matter 8.95; (Sucrose 5.22, glucose 3.73).
23. There was a case similar to this in 1889. In both instances the charge of selling an intoxicating liquor without a licence was not sustained.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient Servant,
THE COLONIAL SURGEON,
&c.,
$c.,
&c.
W. EDWARD CROW, Government Analyst.
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