Examination of Water for Sanitary and Technical Purposes

THIS volume contains a great deal of clearly stated information in its 106 pages. The authors have succeeded in the endeavour expressed in their preface to select trustworthy and practical processes, and to exclude the description of methods not generally employed, with other matters only remotely connected with the subject. So far as organic matter in water is immediately concerned, the “albuminoid ammonia” and the “oxygen-consuming power” are relied upon by the authors. Special prominence is also given to the estimation of chlorine, nitrogen as nitrates and as nitrites (by colorimetric processes), phosphates, dissolved oxygen, and poisonous metals. A general method of quantitative analysis for technical purposes follows, including the estimation of hardness alkalimetrically, after Hehner—rejecting soap solution altogether—and the estimation of boric acid, after Gooch, as well as the constituents that invariably receive attention. A carefully compiled chapter on the interpretation of results, and a few other matters, complete the volume.Examination of Water for Sanitary and Technical Purposes.By Henry Leffmann William Beam. (Philadelphia: P. Blakiston, Son, and Co., 1889.)