The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-14

water, even after running together for sopse dis
lance, will render contaminated water nj LOT
dietetic use. mucn larger dution than TINS
as been kno wn produce cholera and typhoid
fever. Indeed, the Iallacy OF sucn an assertion
the one hundred thousandth part OF yeast, q
minute fungus which the microscope shOwst0
added to a vat OF sweet wort, with a marvellous
rapldity OF growth, converts the whole OF IT into
fungus is lot stopped At the right moment putre-
faction sets in followed by animal organisms that
tho oad OF
water are sometimes OF the most startling and
distressing nature. The fungus foot disease Of
feet and hands, is due to this cause.
The Damascus sore. disease that has spread
all over the East, is due 70 minute vegetable
cell that grows with wonderful rapidity, destroy
lug the skin. and ultimately killing the patient.
are not more than the thirty thousandth part Of
an inch in size, and yet one microscope entosoa
there there in thousands. Japez Hogg. London.j
The power and the value Of Tue microscope must
be fully and sSe
importance OF chemical analysis 1t Is nevertheless
certain that 1t is not safe TO rely upon 1t alone.
The septic poison OF wafer Is undoubtedly que to
lnfusorla, and not to matters in solution Hence
simple analysis lars 70 reach the diniculty.
EXPERIENCE AS A TEACHER.
This brings US to another branch OF this suDlecs
which Is entitled TO grave consideration. IL -
me and u other popuous paces
in England have been compelled to abandon en-
tirely the use OF the water Of rivers ior domestic
imposslbllity of maintaining the rivers free from
pollution in thicky populated sections OF country.
The towns and parishes OF Piumstead. Wool
wien Charlton, Deptford and Greenwich have
abandoned the use OF water from the Ravensborno
and resOrted to subterranean water for q supply.
The town Of Hull and its suburbs have abandoned
the use OF the river Hull. Tho town OF Noting
town OF Birmingham has abandoned the use of the
river Tame The city OF Canterbury the river Stour.
All these and numerous other cities ana towns
IN ul n
ranean sources. In view not only OF the posi-.
bility, but the probability. OF similar condition OF
affairs nantes ting itself IN this country In conse-
Quence OF q rapidly increasing population in GER
tain localities from which supplies OF water are
that the subject OF obtaining water from subter-
ranean sources should be understood.
VALUE OF ARTESIAN WELLS.
The cases where large quantities OF water Issue
from the surface at one spot 80 as to be depended
upon as a permanent supply for town are ex'
ceedlngly rare, although such Instances do exist.
There Is spring at Vaucluse, in France, which
supplies as much water daily as Is delivered into
there are other places where very great quantities
or water issue from the earth. Inc true source,
however, OF subterranean water supply is found
through the means OF what are known as arLesian
wells. Many wells OF this character have been
sunk in different parts Of the United States some
OF them TO the depth OF from 1000 to 1000 feet ob
tanning an ample supply OF good water; The vast
bart Of this Continent being composed OF Success
sve layers OF sedlmentary rocks, occupying y
generally horizontal position, Is peculiarly adapted
whenever the time shall come that the density
OF suburban population, and the consequent pollu-
ton Of water supply, requires the abandonment
OF the modes now generally resorted TO- 1t Is very
probable that all the water demanded may be OBJ
tanned from subterranean sources. The greater
purity OF water from this source In being always
Tree from the possible contamination OF organic
matter, would entltle 1t to q preference over any
other.
The condition OF the water even now distributed
In cities OF the United States to the manifest
injury OF general heath, demands careful ex-
animation OF this question. Jersey city, IN the
State Of New Jersey, Is notable instance. the
drinking water OF this place Is polluted by the
sewage OF several large towns, and II the use OF
this con taminated water Is persisted In, the popu-
latOn will some day be decimated by fearful
pestilence. Even now 1t Is a dangerous locality
for residence. 1t is necessary that We should look
thousands Of miles OF railway whereby all the
States Of the Republic arc locked IN vast IRON
CHAIN OF mutual interests aud mutual benefits.
We construct, VITA the aid OF the pub
lie money OF the Ceidnon wealth, hundreds OF
miles OF canal for the development OF
our material resources and the interchange OF
commodities is 10 not much more imperative
that in the interests OF the pubic health-in the
preservatlon or lie that must otherwise be Sacri
1ced-pans for the supply OF water pure and I'M
which would embrace large sections OF territory.
supplying small hamlets, growing towns and IN
cip1ent villages as well as large cities, IN It's ex-
tended course, bringing to thousands OF homes ltS
with grand cIOacg should be constructed, like
those OF old Rome In its glory, which would be
equally effective in removing from whole lines OF
villages in its descent to the sea, all the 1mpuri-
ties that now endanger health and lieS Surely
nothing that we can do for the future Is more i'm
periOusy demanded than comprehensive plans Tor
preserving the health OF the generations which
are TO follow US. SdtuS popnh est Sup1lenaG ler.