The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-01-16
fFor the Dispatch.l
James River water.

Dr. l.. >. Joy ues auu IL. w lllian II. ray
lor have frequently subjected water taken
fresh from cnr hEdrants 10 examination un-
der the high powers of the microscope, and
in no instance did they find an object pos
sessipg vitality. Dr.. r. A. Lewis, in illus
trating bis lectures at the Female Institute,
has repeatedly tested the same with the solar
microscope, but its prodgious magnifying
power revealed no sign of life. These are
facts of great importance to the citizens of
Richmond, for they show the purity and
healthfulneSs Of the fluid we daily swallow.
But while the microscope testities to the
good character of our riyer-Water, there arc
conditions in which it will become impure,
unhealthful, and offensive. Drs. Joynes and
Taylor found standing water taken from the
cutters swarming with life. DR.. Lewis
placed bits of hay in vial Of river-water,
and after remaining a few days in warm
place each drop contained thousands of ami
malcules. Rest, warmth, and the presence
of organic matter are conditions which will
soon render any water unfit for drinking
purposes.
"Some years since the Cochi!uate water
supplied to Boston suddenly acquired a
very disagreeable fsby smell and taste, and
this was found to arise from the presence in
it of great numbers of auimalcules, Lie de-
composition of which set free on oil impart-
ing offensive qualities. The water supplied
to the city of Amsterdam was found in 1856
to assume o similar ish.ike smell, and on
standing to give reddish deposit, but in
this case the cause was determined to be the
presence and decomposition of masses of
alga, conferva, and other water.piants."-
appleton.
But few years have elapsed since the
oxygen CT the air received the credit Of
originating putrefaction and the consequent
animal and vegetable growths. We are now
informed by men of science that the air, and
water, and very nearly everything else is
full of germs, which only wait az appropriate
element and prospering conditions to ripen
into active vitality.
"Tbe advocates of the germ theory, both
of putrefaction and epidemic disease, hold
that both arise not from the air, but from
something contained in the air. They hold,
moreover, that something to be not a
!Yapor nor foreign gas, nor, indeed, a mole
cule Of any kind, buta particle. ."- Iyndall---
Dust and Disease. - ~.
"By means of these germs disseminated
in every part, and entering by myriads
wherever the vehicle in which they live
finds access, the learned of the eighteenth(S y
century explained the appearance Of those
.innumerable swarms Of microscopic animals
.or plants which inevitably attack all created
things given up to putrid disorganization."
Unirerse. ~ ~. ~ ),
eve also discern iE the air the skeletons
n, different infusorla and what's still more
extraorci1,ss:. We even find these animslcules
nerfectly alive. NE also frequently meet
with the Debris of insects. ,hlaments o.
wool, silk, or cotton tinged with the most
varied colors; likewise, abundant refuse OF
the soil, and even particles Of smoke ex-
PEELED from our factories and household
hres."- Unirerse.
These extr1cts are given at some length
because they may be interesting to the gen.
eral reader, but especially because they have
q direct bearing upon the propriety OF stor-
ing large quantities Of water for public use.
Motion is necessary for the preservation Of
water In its purity. When water Is agitated
fresh surfaces are rapidly exposed to the air,
which is absorbed to the extent Of two and q
half per cent. in volume. Its q truth notyet
explained that the air absorbed by water
contains thirty-two per cent. Of oxygen in
stead of twenty three per cent, the normal
quantity. To the presence and power Of
this oxygen the protection Of water from
organic matter in condition favorable and
necessary to the Development of noXious
germs is chiefly due. '.ss.s..,
The great American lakes are pure aud
fresh in consequence Of that incessaDt mo.
ton which terminates in the rush and roar
of Niagara. Our renowned Maury has not
only said that there is ariyer in the ocean, !"
but also that s.there IS q pulse in the sea-
The sun and the moon, the winds and the
currents, unite their power to keepup q con-
slant circulation. Were Il not for this rest.
less condition the great deep would become
q vast storehouse Of putridity, notwith-
standing the fact that It's salt, II collected
and spread over the snffaee OF europe,
would extend upwards one mile.
aStanding waters, thick and iil-colored,
sucl, as come forth of pools and moats, where
hemp hath bean stepped, or Shiny fishes live,
are most unWholesome, putrefed, and full Of
mites, creepers, Shiny, muddy, unclean, cor;
.rupt, impure, by reason Of the sun,s heat
and stiIl.gtanding. They cause foul sdtstem.
#peratures In the body and mind Of man; are
unfit TO make drink oil, to dress meat with,
or to be used about men inRardly or out
Warilly Burton s. anatomy.
In the light OF the facts and suggestions
presented if Is hoped that every citizen viii
see the imprOpftety Of any extensive struc-
t,Ire designed 10 store t0o.sa4es supply ol
water Tor the use Of the city OF kichiiio
irS s'fnr Jnsfance n was determined to build