Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-01-06
TYPHOID FEVER.
Bf STEPHEN SMITH, NJ. D., HEALTE CONNTS-
sIoSER OF NEW YoEY.
from the Independent !

Iyphofd FEVER Is the great autamnal scOurge
OF our country. 1t attacks the high and the low
the rich and the poor, the resident of the coun-
try, village and city. The family of the most
humble and lowly seems no mere liable 10 it
than the family OF the most exalted i'm wealth
and rank. Ii has no more respect for the royal
family of England than for the poorest peas
ants household. Prince Albert fell a victim to
II, ana today the heir apparent is Frustrated
under its remorseless grasp.
We may gam some idea of the vast harvest
Of Sickness and death which this reaper an
nually gathers from the following facts. 1t is
estimated that from 100000 to 15o, 600 people
annually suffer from this disease in Engla
alone.
The causation of typkoid fever. though long
enveloped in obscurity, is now well known. Ir
is one of the sO-called Efilth diseases of mo iern
sanitary writer's. Its most ordinary exciting
cause Is AR or drinking water befosled with
excremental matters. Ii II also quite certain
that person suffering from this fever NAV him
self infect the air of his or the water which
receives his excreta with germs of the disease,
so as to transmit il to others. A single case
may thus be the fruitful source of widespread
epidemic.
The facts illustrating the origin q typhoids
from excremental matters in drinking water
are now very numerous and very instructive
Every experienced physician can give striking
examples occurring under his own observation.
liz not unfrequently happens that the actual
source of the disease is very obscure and can
only be discovered by the most persistent ami
generally rewarded with complete success. The
following examples will illustrate the methods
Of communicating the fever:
In small German settlement in the upper
part OF the city there was a severe outbreak OF
dysentery and typhoid fever. A physician
called to attend some of the cases. set TO work
to find out the cause. On inquiry as to the
water-supply, he was directed to a spring on
low ground in the midst Of the settlement SO
situated as to receive the surface drainage
The water was pure and sparkling to the sight
and the taste, and was loudly praised by the
owner OF the spring. quantity put in a bottle
and allowed to stand a few hours threw down a
thick sediment of most offensive matter. The
people ceased to this water, and the eij-
demc ceased at once.
In neighboring village typhoid fever broke
ont. and prevailed with great violence in a given
locality. Search was III tdc for the cause by the
attending physician, but in vain. They APP
pealed for aid to the health authorities of New
York, and an expert officer examined the history
OF the outbreak and the locality, and predicted
that a certain hydrant, which supplied the vic
Tins with drinking-wat communicated at
some point with hOuse-drains or the street
sewer. The water-pipe was examined. and at n
distance from the hydrant houSc-drain was
found leaking into ii at point where they ira
versed each other. The repair of these mines
was the cure of the endemic
While visiting in All interior to Snship Of this
state, famous for healthfulness and the besuty
OF It's scenery, l. became interested in the history
OF family which was suffering from typhoid
fever. OF eight members five had perishsi and
one was then fatally sick. On visiting the local
lty the house wasfound situated on an eev walton,
and all its surroundings were admirably ar
ranged for health. One cOuld readily believe
the statement that there had not been a case an.
sickness in the house for twelve years. The fol-
lowing history of the present sickness was given
A rev weeks before the fever appeared the
pump in the well broke, and the farmer, being
driven with his work, neglected to have it re-
paired Meantime the servant brought the wa
ter from spring at the foot Of the hill which
soon became low, owing to the drought. He
then resorted to small brook, and from this
source the family were supplied for two or three
weeks. Ihis stream, higher up. ran through
several fanny yards and received the surface
drainage. The first symptoms Of poison by this
water was slight nausea and q mild diar hd.a:
after several days typhoid feverin its wor. Furu
was ushered In. OF the entire family but w,
escaped an attack, and they did not use the va
ter. An examination of this water reveal A
sediment OF excremental matters.
Inc death OF Prince Albert by typhoid fever
gave rise TO much discussion as to the source OF
the poison Expert sanitarians contendei that
he had been exposed to sewer gases or their
equivalent Court physicians denied til ~ there
Gas any possibility OF such exposure at Windsor
Castle, where he had spent several weeks pre-
ceding the attack. careful search was made
OF the drains, sewers, &c of the Castle but no
leakage or possible escape OF gases could be dis
covered At length an Old sewer man of the
district was consulted, and it was found that he
tore the Castle was built an old sewer ran acrn.S
the grounds. draining an adjacent settlement
Tins sewer was now explored. and at a point
directly under the library, where the Primo
sTent much of his time. there was a break al
the library. '
One of the most important lessons for house
heids 10 learn Is that eNcrementat matters pol-
luting the air they breathe, or the water they
drink, will cause typhoid fever. II should be
called ''excrement fever" so that when the
name rs spoken every one is reminded of lis
cause. Far too little attention is given to this
most fruitful source of sickness and death i'm
cities, towns, viii ages, and by country residents
Excrementai matters should be at once disposed
OF, so that they cannot by any possibility faint
the air We breathe. or the water we drink This
may readily be effected by disnfectanrs of
which the best is dry earth. Drinking water
should always be taken from wells or springs
situated above the level of human habitations.
or SO deeply, as artesian wells, that they can,
not receive surface drainage.
LAWNS