The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-12-13
[Communica ted.l
.Ian1es River WRter.


1t was stated in the published proceedings
of late meeting of the Common Council
that the City Engineer had been making ex-
periments for the purpose of devisns some
plan bv which clear river-water might be
furnished from the reservoir.
The water question, next to the bread
question, is a matter of the greatest import
ance to a populous city. TO obtain an I'm
falling supply is the first necessity, and we
hone this necessity will be met when, in the
course of human events, the turbine wheels
shall be in operation ut the pump.house.
But the intimate relation between the
nature of the water imbibed and the health
of community makes the quality of the fluid
u concern of as much Importance rs the
abundance of supply. DR.. George Watson
was, before and after the introduction of
riyer-wutcr, one of our most distinguished
physicians 1t was observed by him that
after the use Of river-water became conf
mon in Richmond a peculiar disease, char
acterized BY sore mouth, which was some
times fatal, disappeared from our city. No
one familiar with the inferior quality Of we'll
water in this region will be surprised at this
statement
Perfectly pure water does not supply the
necessities of the animal frame. There are
certain mineral substances in the blood, in
minute quantities, that must be derived in
part from the water we drink. Nature never
furnishes water to animals perfectly pure.
While this is true, ii any Substance-animal,
vegetable, or mineral--of Il kind not neces-
sary for vital purposes be present in any inn
portant quantity disease will be the conse-
uuence. Goitre and cretinism, in Switzer-
land, are supposed TO be due to unhealthy
quantities Of lnagnesia in the water that Is
drunk. More than six grains of organic
matter in gallon is enough to produce dys-
entery and fever, while fifteen grains OF
mineral substance to the same measure Is the
limit allowed for drinking purposes. ANY
quantity of organic matter is known to be
detrimental, and riyer-water generally con-
tains notable amount Of it, chiefly OF Vese-
table origin, derived from the drainage OF II
large surface of country. n worse organic
| contamination comes from the sewerage OF
towns.
Is the water of james river at Richmond
unhealthy or impure! This might be, and
| if any great number of manufactures be
established above our city doubtless will be, a
serious question. Is our river-Water con-
taminated by the presence Of any organic
| or inorganic substance in injurious quantity
| Why should it not be thus contaminated 7
An immense surface of wood and field is
drained by the james and Its tributaries.
| Its headwaters start from region rich In
minerals, and flow partly through limestone
and magnesian-limestone country, Alum
springs, chaly ybeate springs, and sulphur
springs find an outlet in Its bed. The mate
rials for both mineral and organic inpurity
are abundant, and yet it is truth, which
!. traf 81
me #, that the waters Of the James
at Richmond are, chemically, quite
pure. What is the cause Of this
puritv? Running water hasa self-purifying
bower, probably because the dissolved or.
ganic and other matter Is by frequent agita-
ttion abundantly exposed to the oXidizing
agency of the air. Also, passage over gran
ite rocks is favorable to publication. But
do not think that these causes are sufficient
to account for the elimination of so much
mineral uud organic impurity as must hnd
;ts way into the james. | offer the sugSes-
tion that our river-water is purified by the
mechanical and chemical action OF the clay,
not mud, which it receives in such large QUAD
titles on its way hither. Isintended, just here,
| to offer some chemical remarks In support OF
this statement; but having consulted NIL
Ier's chemistry-the highest authority ID the
English language-I find sentence which So
fuIiy substantiates this theory and so entirely
settles the question that / think it will Dc
sufficient to quote his words. On the SUP
| iect of "clay," Miller says: 1t exerts
yery important purifying influence, upon
water impregnated with organic and otbel 9
substances, which find their way slowly
through the soil. Indeed, mere agitation 9! 9!
such cater toih finely diuided clay is surl
cieat 10 remoUe considerable amount OF me
orooutc and saline matter preosously" SOL"
tiOn." -. ,, hoo,, :,
The much abused clay, then, has been
PROTECTOR of the health OF this community D!
mingIiuc in a very minute state OF SUP
division with the mineral, and, what Is more
important, with the animal and vegetable
impurities In our river, aud by decomposint
or uniting with them has rendered tnen
| harmless.
But i propose to show that the clay con
fers a greater benefit to this community D
protecting It's health from the dreadful eject
i nf r.5l - LEAD-PolsoNIH0.
1 lis we'll known thkt very pure Watsi