BUBBLE FOUNTAINS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2997, 7 February 1917, Page 5

BUBBLE FOUNTAINS

UPRIGHT JET HARBOURS GERMS. In view of the decision of the City, Council to establish bubble fountaum for drinking, in parks and other places, tlio following result of a. bacteriological test of tho "bubblo" of these fountains is interesting. Tho idea- of tlio bubblo fountains, which are freely used in America and Australia, is to do away with the drinking-cup and any other touching of metal with tho lips. Tho "bubble" of water,is easy to drink from, and it is thus moro hygienic than tho ci«i. But it is not entirely innocuous. It was suggested jiy tho University of Wisconsin some time ago that a bubble fountain had been an agent for infecting a whole dormitory with, tonsilitis. In the Journal, of the American Medical Association it was stated that tho circumstances of an cpidemlc of streptococcos tonsilitis, two. years ago', in ono of tho; dormitories of tho university of Wisconsin,, unexpectedly directed suspicion to the bubble fountain in the building. . investigation showed that these fauntains may_ become a factor in transmitting disease. The facts deduced were surprising, it being proved that bactoria remained suspended in the upright jet of water for from two to 135 minutes, depending on tlio height of tho bubble. But oven when this was raised to tho unheard-of height of four inches, the germs were still discovered in suspension. It was found, ' however, that ,bv inclining the jefc at an angle of 50 degrees, tho germs wore . carried away with the water, and later tests showed that 15 degrees, with an adjustable collar guard, was sufficient inclination of the bubblo to ensure n J coipplcto dispersion of the germs.