The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1877-02-21

the Diarrhea.

In answer to the rather thin theory and as
sumed scientific knowledge of the medical
editor of the Union on this subject this morn
ing, we are informed that whenever the per-
manganate test has indicated the presence
of organic matter in the water it has been,
invariably, found at the sameiime under the
microscope, and that, too, in suspended
state and entirely independent of the intu-
soria. The permanganate test does not act
unless there is organic matter for 1t to act
upon. Frequent examinations with this test
during the last 10 days, until Monday, have
shown the water to be comparatively free
from organic matter. If organic matter is
found in the water at all, it is, under ex-
istipg circumstances, reasonable ground for
suspicion that it had something to do with,
if it was not the sole cause of producing
the diarrhea. When the microscope
shows organic matter in suspended state,
there is then too much of it for healthy
potable water.
TOO much organic matter in the water will pro-
A1VHbspfb0
Pure water does not contain organic matter
When collected near habitations ii may contain am
monia and organic matter" -RdRd-
Diarrhea proceeds from more than one cause it
may be excited by the irritating character of
the food taken, eFy@ or by impure 1cdter; ES
1t may be brought about by the morbid nature of
the seCretions poured into the intesnes; it may be
owing TO atmospher infuences-to heat, to mois-
ture, to contaminated air. it may be due to irritant
poisons, retained ffeces, or worms: reflex action,
dentition mental emotions, fear, &c, &c.-DacOsta
Inflammation often produces constipa-
patton as we'll as diarrhea, and, if the
| Union theory is a good one, that may ex-
plain why all who have drank the hydrant
water have not had the diarrhea Thus.
the theory advanced in the Union as to
tie causes Of diarrhea is garbled one and
for the purpose of leading away from the
real facts az order to support ats side Of til,
question:
Bacteria are found in the discharges OF persons
diseased or healthy. "-LelpiS.
There is, however, no possibility of identifying
the different kinds of bioplasmatc matter unde
the microscope. Animal vegetable, they resem
bic each other, and they cannot be distinguished
from particles of germinal matter derived from tn
living mucus n pGs, or white blood corpuscles G
man himself. '-BeGte
l =
appearance; all resemble the minute particles OF b
opasm of the blood, from which thy have prOb5
bly, been derived; bat from which they differ s
: remarkably in GENERALIZATION.
; In answer to the Unions question
+. What causes the irritation or infamms
t toni" THE ARGUS says, emphatically
the a0Gter! If hundreds of persons suffe
|. from an epidemic of diarrhea within
Y we'll defined and small district, and it doe
not prevail as an epidemic outside that di:
" trict, is it creditable to the medical pre-
fession not to be able to discover the cause
!, Is it ereditable to any physician to hay
q no intelligent theory as to its cause?
% And if the cause is not to be found
the water, is it not terrible blow to tE
future prosperity Of this locality? If I'll
!, cause is to be found in the atmosphere
" certainly would not be confined to the WI
y ter district. And if there is some local, hit
den, mysterious cause, the injury to tt
future prosperity of this locality is tata
lift is the water, that can be remedied,