New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-09-26
POISONED WATER ABROAD.

A REMARKABLE CASE IN FRANcE-REPoRTs OF THE
GENERAL BOARD OF HEALTH IN ENGLAND.
TO me Editor OF The Trt6une.
SIR: These so-called accidents of water
poisoning are becoming 30 frequent and disas-
trous that they will have TO be regarded
as cases OF mansaughter, and the authors OF
them dealt with accordingly. They, have q
much wider reach than Ia generally supposed as large
number OF OF intermittent soealled bilious remit
tent aud typhoid fevers may be traced to them, and
also many cases OF dysentery. Summer diarrhea, and
cholera morbus Among the earliest recorded cases are
army medical oaicer and a weli-Rnown writer on medi-
cal geography, who narrates the following: In July,
1884, 800 French soldiers, all In good health, embarked
on the same day In three transports, from Bona In
Africa and arrived together at Marseiles They had
been exposed TO the same atmospheric influences.
supplied with the food and subjected to
the same disclDne for they all belonged to
one regiment and had served and marched together
on board one OF these vessels 40 soldiers,
OF whom 10 died the short passage from destructive
fever aud % more were taken TO the military hospital
az Marselles among whom were OF every variety
feverfrom the simple intermittent TO the most per.
the Antilles They had darrhea and cholera morbus
| almost as bad the cholera Of the Ganges In Its
severest traits On inquiry il was ascertained that on
hoard the affected ship the water supplied for the sol
diers had been taken from foul aud marshy place,
while the sailors, not one Of whom was attacked, had
been previously provided with wholesome water. To
make the matter Still clear 10 was discovered that
the nine soldiers who escaped sickness had purchased
water of the as they did like that supplied by
the vessel and not single soldier OF sailor OF the other
| two transports, who were supplied with pure water
In August, 1885, large tank from which particular
quarter OF Versailles, France was supplied with water
| became damaged and the Mayor without consulting
the medical authorities, provided supply Of water
from surface drainage OF the surrounding country
The Inhabitants would not drink this polluted water but
Dr. and Mrs Evans of Bedford, Eogland, who were at
hotel there drank OF 1t unwltngly aud became seri-
ousy sick with fever 1t was also used by marching
regiment of cavalry the result OF which was an nterm
tent aud remtten fever OF so severe type that
day fseptember ID seven soldiers died. on careful in
vestgaiOn 1t was ascerained that only those OF the
all others though breathing the same atmosphere hay
| ing escaped, as did also the townspeOple.
In the reports the General Board or Health In Eng
land IL Is stated that there Is scarcely town In the
Kingdom that has not Afforded some Instance Of the
baleiu effects OF unwholesome water. The seizures
have been more sudden and violent and the proportion
OF deaths attacks greater even than IN phus and
typhoid levers from oyercrowdng and filth. In Hack
| new q cesspool was SUNK in the middle OF July within
| one yard OF the well which supplied with water u
houses having SO inhabitants In about fortnight the
water became tainted. and ~ OF the people would
use IT, OF the remaining g. 46 were attacked with
we're darrhea Five houses in Shoredtch. occupied by
| "a inhabitants, were supplied with water from well
Into which surface refuse percOated. Eleven, that Is
| one-haf OF the whole number, died within "a few
| with water from o well that was afterwards
ascertained to be contaminated by utilization from
| foul open ditch, there were twenty and somt
| deaths and several who died thrifty aud decen
people The water which supplied IS other houses In
psther street foued by sOakage from watercOsets
there were Is deaths in consequence The writer has
had water analyses made III seHera Instances IN which
was found 10 DO lmpregnated with sewage water. III
fact IL may very safely be assumed that In the very
largest proportion OF cases IN winch Iarners lnhabant
OF small towns and villages, aud even gentlemen ant
| hoteEkeepers suppose that they nave iron spnnl
very their dwellings, that the water ID foul anC
contaminated the last degree either from soakag;
from the kitchen sinks and drains or from the indoo
| or outdoor water-cosets. J. &. L.
| Aep- York, Sept l6, 1874.