IS THE EIJKMAN TEST AN AID IN THE DETECTION OF FECAL POLLUTION OF WATER?

Abstract
Only a small % of the Bacillus coli from human feces produced gas in 48 hrs. in glucose-peptone broth at 46[degree] (Eijkman test). Many strains produced gas in 24 hrs. in the Eijkman test, but 48 hrs. were necessary to include all gas formers. Many "typical" B. coli strains from water from a polluted steam failed to grow in the Eijkman broth at 46[degree]. The Eijkman test did not eliminate all positive tests due to B. aerogenes and citrate-positive B. coli. Only B. coli (never B. aerogenes) was found in human feces.