RELATIVIDADE DO SIGNIFICADO DO ÍNDICE COLIFORME E PROPOSIÇÃO DE ÍNDICE CORRIGIDO

Abstract

The stability o f the r ate Salmonella typhosa/ coliforms in sewage polluted waters has been esablished by several studies. Consequently, the density of eoliform bacteria is often an actual measure of contamination and not only an index of pollution indicating potential contamination. However as it wold oo expected, many investigations have shown a relation between the typhoid morbidity ratP and the concentration of S. typkos(l,found in the sewage of a community. It follows that coliform densities determined in areas with a different incidence of diseases transmitted through feces are not comparable as measures of contamination. In order to correct this shorteomiug of the crude coliform density, the A. proposes the use of a corrected coliform index, which takes on account the morbidity rate of typhoid fever in the community.