The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1877-10-06
Unhealthy Homes.


One Of the great sources Of disease II
country homes, says the Sanitarian, is i'm
pure water Impure, not from earthly and
mineral matters, but organic. 1t Is the
vegetable and animal substances which
enter into it in solution that produce the
mischief These arise from two causes
decaying vegetation which had hourished
in lakes and streams, and the contamina.
tion of water by local and artificial condi-
tions, such as drains, priyies, farm-yards,
cess-pools manufactures, etc. Nowhere IL
there more neglect shown upon this inn
portant point than in the country. Go
from farmhouse to farmhouse, and /
venture to assert that in ninety per cent.
the sanitarian will find some neglect in
this matter of water-supply, either small
or great. A man, for instance, DIGS well
in close proximity to his house; at tho
same time he locates a drain from the
sink and places the outlet within few
feet Of the well, 50 that a mere layer of
soil separates the one from the other; the
consequence is, that while the insoluble
matters may be filtered, out, the far more
dangerous soluble, impalpable matters are
transmitted to the drinking water, to pro-
duee, If nothing worse, slow and chronic
poisonous influence upon those who par
take oft. Instances have been mentioned,
strange to say, in which direct commu-
nication has been found to exist between
the well and sink drain, and that, too,
with the knowledge of the parties in in.
terest. Another method Of pollution bv
slops is the practice of throwing them upon
the ground near the well, when in course
OF time they are absorbed into its contents.
Again the water may be taken from A
spring at distance from the dwelling,
and the owner congratulates himself upon
his superior supply Of pure spring water;
but if an examination were to be made al
the source of supply, the chances are that
1t would befoundto be in neglected condi-
ton, partially filed with decaying wood or
leaves and its bottom covered with finely
pulverized dccomposed vegetable matter.
Or he may take his water from cistern
fed from the roof, a practice which should
be avoided If possible. If this IS not
properly ventilated it becomes foul from
neglect, the water acquires odor and its
use is injurious to the health.
Again, the farm-yard is often located
within a few rods Of the well; the conse-
quence is that similar contamination
takes place as in the case Of the drain.
and after a rain, when the soil becomes
saturated with these matters, they are
taken up by the underground water pas
sages and transmitted to the well; often
the water is discolored, and has Che taste
and smell Of the barn-yard. The same
pollution may occur by reason Of the i'm
proper location of the water-closet; espo-
cially if this is acess.pool, the most prolific
nest ever formed by ignorance for the de-
struetion Of health and life. This abomis
nation abounds throughout the country,
and wherever found is attended with the
fearful brood of maladies that come from
blood-poisoning. People die or drag out
miserable existence with chronic all
ments, and never once suspect the true
source Of the evil.
1t is not necessary to mention in detail
the diseases which arise from impure
drinking-water. Typhoid fever Is one Of
the most important, and every country
physician can call to mind eases in which
he has traced the disease to one Of these
sources Of water-pollution. But there are
certain obscure cases Of disease from this
cause which are often overlooked--cases
of marasmus, 50 to speak, IN which there
i no welLdefned malady, but train Of
irregular symptoms, one or more in fam.
lily being Affected; there IS 4 general feeling
Of Dlataise, loss Of appetite and weight.
alternations Of diarrhma with periods oil
regularity, and 80 on. These symptoms
cannot be accounted for on any ordinary
principles Of disease, but many times they
are due TO chronic poisoning from i'm.
pure drinking-water. Ask one Of the
family If the water is good, and the roplv
viii be, "0h, yes, doctor, We have the
best well In the neighbofhood," !" and thew
will show specimen. It NAV Be peffeci-
y clear and tasteless, and apparently pure;
but an examination Of the sink drain as.si
the other methods Of weIl-polIutiou vill
disclose some or all Of them in close conti1r.
ty, and evidently discbareinr sabfle
poison into the water The important fact
that apparent purity is NOT q safe eaide
IN estimating the purity Of water Il not
generally known. But Il i true that
analysis even often fails lo detect the ele-
ment which proddces disease ul,an Il ms
been established heyond joislx ihhs il
does exist in the water; sle only sAie tsi.
terions then, is ahsolusa fasaoFal ol t|sa
cause.