Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1853-10-13
From the Cincinnati Gazette.
Cholera-Analysis of Water-Interest-
II d-HHa4J DIS u W I1S~@
ing Facts,

| ChOleTa-AnalY6lB
ing Facts.
MEssRs EDIToRs:-Analyss of various 'West-
ern Waters lave recently been made by Professor
Locke at the request of the ''Trustees of the Gil
| ty Water Works." which, however long delayed,
are still intensely interesting.
Nine specimen of water have been analysed
eight of river and one of spring. The Report oil
Doctor Locke, and his SON, j. NJ Locke, is Uf great
public and private concern; but 1t l. only 10 the
water of the spring on Sycamore hill as confirming
the Geological Theory Of Cholera, that wish 10
call the reaueTs attention. This theory has re-
ceived confirmation very extensively, both at home
anu abroad; but the death water as termed hiS
| spring in 1S49, had not before been analyzed;-lt
contains, according TO the REPORT, TO one gallon
| of water --ia-r4
Chloride of Sodium gains .1425
Calcium - 2.l15S
Magnesium 1915
SuIphate Lime 105500
Magnesia 1.1968
Silicie Acid .720S
carbonate' Lime 15.0067
Mugnesia 1853
Total soldmatter y 35.0ISs
Carbonic Acid Gas, cubic inches 39.l9IS
| These are the ingredients aud their relative pro-
portion, which proved so Gearfully malignant du-
rig the prevalence of epidemic Cholera. When
1 examined that locality Ill August, ls41, learnt
tina: all those who died used CT that spring, while
not death occurred amongst those who used rain
water exclusively; about 40 per cent. of thatpop-
uaton died; (See my Essay on the Geological
Theory, 10 had the city, generally been sup
piled with the same water, IN the same proportion.
it would have lost 100000 inhabitants There are
numerous wells and springs OF the same deleteri-
GUS properties.
will new quole from the 'Report:'
"rhs spring we understand TO have produced
fatal Choera in all persons who used it during the
prevalence of that epidemic IN the city. The an
alyss reveals the fact that the spring abounded in
the salts of lime. 1t contains ten times as much
sulphaie and muriate of lime as any other water
analysed by Prof. Silman or ourselves. 1t con-
tains also more carbonate of lime than any other
water. As CO .cerouS wa
tets are known 10 produce diirrhea and species
Of Cholera in persons in robust health, not accus
toned 10 them, it is very natural 10 suppose that
when the unknown cause OF Cholera has almost
overcome the vital force, the aid afforded by hard
catbartic waters will be sufficient 10 decide the
point and produce death. This is commonly ex-
pressed by saying that the Cholera poison is the
| predisposing cause, and the hard water the excl
| ting. think it better TO say the unknown cause
| of Cholera alone might prove insufficient, but by
the aid Of ally acting to tile same point,
n victory over life.
'"rhe waters used in Paris are charged with sui
plate of lime, which produces in almost eveIy
stranger after a few days residence, disease cal
led the Cholera de Seine;' for the yer Seine is
hard, from the above named saltj and how fatal
was the cholera in Parish fatal from its able ally,
hard water.
According to this view of the subject, the
|
rably calculated TO net as the aid of epidemic chol-
Ella, in its hostility to human life"
This accortS admirably with the opinion OF Pro-
/ feSSOr Ray, as expressed in note received from
him, uuJe- date of April 10, 1850. He says:-
"From knowledge Ofthe facts collected by you,
relative to the localities visited by the cholera in
1928, came to the conclusion that tile use OF
limestone or hard well water would be dangerous,
should the cholera again visit this city. Accord
ingly, in the discharge of my duties as member
of the sanitary committee of the Ninth Ward,
warned the people that well water ought not TO be
used, and recommended ciStern or hydrant water.
Mr.. John S. Powers and myself had the superviS-
ion of Spring and PendIeton streets, between Lib.
erty and Woodward streets. Inspiring street, els
tern water is used almost exclusively. On this
street. between the streets above named, there
thirty-six dwelling houses, occupied by about two
hundred persons; out of this number tlere was
but two fatal cases of cholera, and both of these
had used we'll water! On rendleton street, which
runs parallel with Spring. and about two hundred
ieet east of 1t, well water is more freely used On
this street. there were thirteen deaths cholera, all
of which occurred among those who used well
water-there being no deaths among those who
used only cistern water. PendIeton street is high
er and more airy than Spring street. and The popu-
lation is about one half the latter; hence the per
cent Of mortality was thirteen times Us great. -
Now, is it not passing strange, that this state
ment from gentleman of distinguished talent aud
respectability connected with the numerous facts
made public by myself throu h the newspapers
land which walk of ten or fifteen minutes was
sufficient TO verifY] did not induce our City Coun-
Gil, or Boar Of Health, to investigate the subject7
They appear, unhappily, to have placed more re-
lance on street fires and gun firing!
These reports and facts are IN strict accordance
with that Of the Medical Society of Glasgow North
British Review for May, 1s51,) which says:
''Since the epidemic of 1882 the population Of
Glasgow, south of the CLYDE, NAV be considered