The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-09-04

bility of absorption by water of the
eholeraic poison. This is a danger to which
we are peculiarly exposed, as our only rel-
ance for drinking water is upon cisterns or
small reservoirs in close proximity to our
dwellings. The chances here for absorbing
the poison are tenfold what they would be
if our supplies were from distant reservoirs,
from which the water is distributed in imper-
yious pipes buried under ground
This unquestienably is the secret of the
diminished prevalence of xynotc diseases in
cities which are supplied with running ,oate,,
and which have suffered terribly in former
years when their reliance for water was, as
ours is, upon cisterns which are peculiarly
liable to ABSORB the gasses arising from the
decomposition of organic matter. Incorrobo-
ration Of this assertion. it is only necessary to
compare the choleraic epidemic of 1892 in
New York, with those of l849 and 1854 in
the same city We will not adduce the epi-
demic Of the present season, for the diminu-
tion in the number of cases in this instance,
is attributable not only to the diminished
chances for the ASSERTION Of the poison by the
Croton water, but also to the extraordinary
means which nave been used for the actual
destruction of it..
In Philadelphia the admission Of Schuylkill
water has, undoubtedly, prevented the recur-
renee of such an epidemic OF yellow fever as
scourged that city in 90. Numberless facts
such as these might be adduced to prove the
favorable effects. upon the health Of cities. of
running water, but as it is not my object at
the present time, to urge the Importance of
this mode of supply, ] must proceed to give
the directions for purifying such water as we
have 4t#ts
han al fha rof
thorough cleansing and the preservation of
purity We have advised the application of
appropriate antseptics in privies, water
closets, garbage tubs, and upon whatever is
liable to putrefaction; we come now to insist
upon the necessity of guarding against, or
correcting the impurities of drinking water,
particularly from filth, leakage, and other Or
ganic matter
The following directions for testing the
presence Of organic Impurities in water, are
given in valuable communication by DR.
Harris, of New York, to the metropolitan
Board, which, regret, has escaped observa-
ton here.
shall however endeayor to furnish from it
the most valuable points Of information which
it contains
TEST FOR ORGANIC IMPURITIES IN WATER.
o.
manganate Of Potassa, 8 grains to ennea ~
distilled water. Into a pint OF the impure
or suspected water, ia goblet or turnbler,
put drop of the red solution; if the red tint
disappears from tue glassfuf iii half hour
add more of the solution. For every drop
that loses its color in the half pint there will
DO found to be from II to grains of putrid
organic matter in the gallon of that water.
To purify such water if it must be used, drop
10 the permanganate solution until the red
tint remains in the water"
Let us now enunerate the
THINGS TO BE DONE WHEN cHoLERA COMES
''The sick must have constant and faithful
care. Upon the early and intelligent santa
ry and medical care of cholera, especially the
first cases, may depend the preservation of
families and neighborhoods from ravages of
the epidemic, The first symptom diarrhea,
must receive medical attention without mo-
ment'sidelay. Choleraic diarrhea and all di-
arrheal diseases in the family, house and
neighborhood where there is cholera, should
receive the same sanitary care as cholera"
Indeed the people ought to be taught to
consider a diarrhea without pain, as the be-
ginningof the cholera They should go inn
mediately to bed and remain there until they
are we'll, or until advised by physician to
get up. A position upon the back should be
maintained and they should be kept as quiet
and undlsturbed as possible. Abundant COW
tsing Of blankets should be used and physi-
clan sent for as soon as possible.
Should there be any delay in securing his
services, we would advise each family to be
provided with vial of "Squibbs Diarrhea
Mixture" All of our apothecaries were
supplied several weeks ago, by me, with the
formula for the preparation Of this compound
which has been found most successful in New
York, in checking the diarrhea Each vial
should be labeled distinctly with the dose
tor persons OF different ages, and the patients
should take this, aud nothing but this, so
that the physician, when he arrives, may
know what has been taken, and how much of
it, Ifany nostrum OF quack preparation, the
composition of which is unknown to him,
has been administered, he may lose much
valuable time in waiting for its effects to
wear off, before he can venture to adopt any
energetic cuurseof treatment. Three of our
apothecaries have sent me specimens of this
preparation, very neatly put up and labeled,
so thatno one could mistake the dose or man
ner in which it should be taken, and pre-
sumo all have followed the advice given
them. In New, York this preparation is
made up in large quantities, at the Dispen-
saries, and deposited at the station-houses for
gratuitous distribution, A two ounce vial d
this will cost rs cents. and so soon Is the
cholera makes its appearance among US each
family should procure it, and use es di-
reeted tis.a lol.1 1ia.l1st
All persons with such disorders should b.
under medical care, and the priyies and YES
seis used by them should be constantly disin
Iected. The sick room and the house il
which there is cholera should be ventilated a!
constantly and as forcibly as possible .Perfsc
cleanlipsss must be enforced Every particle
q auld elected by the patient and everything
"st Is soilsd by them must be disinfscte(