The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-03-13
Continuing; to Deceive Itself and
Trying TO Deceive it's Readers,


The Union continues its efforts to de-
ceive the people in regard to the cause of
the epidemic which prevailed here this
winter, and denies that the late Mrs. Lee
died from that cause. Our information
is from the family physician, who says
that about or weeks ago the, lady was
taken down with the disease, caused by
drinking hydrant water; that she was at
tackled with violent cramps, gripings and
utter prostration Of the entire system;
that she partly recovered, and occasion
ally had relapse; that the family had
not sent for him for the last two weeks, and
he supposed she was doing weIl-but
on the morning of her death she had
another relapse and he, was sent for in
great haste, but she died in an hour from
being taken down. The ply sician knows
that the disease was caused by the water,
and that the symptoms were cholera
symptoms and he says that he has no
doubt that in hot weather it would have
been cholera in its worst form.
1t is very singular that the Union
should continue to deceive itself and try
to deceive the public in this matter, after
what has occurred -.-..
l. Thousands o. people have suffered
for weeks with the disease.
2. Three deaths are known to have been
caused by it.
8. The Iowa and Illinois Medical Asso-
citation. after patient and exhaustive dis
cussion of two days at two different meet
Ings, decided that the water caused the
disease. The physicians present stood IL
to 4, on the question. The grounds on which
their decision was based were as follows
l. The undeniable fact that the diarrhea
prevailed, 2, The clinical facts showing
| the large majority Of those attacked to
have been persons daily using hydrant
water. 8. The positive evidence that or
ganlc matter was present 10 the water
and that organic matter will produce that
kind of disease. 4. Chemical tests show
ed the presence of organic matter In the
water. 5. The microscope showed posi-
lively and beyond doubt the presence
of amorphOus, organic, molecular mat
| tiers, and globnlar matter in the form OF
infusoria; and, 6, Because there was no
evidence offered or attempt made to dis.
prove these grounds for the prevalence OF
the disease.
4. The expert" employed by the water
works committee reported exactly what
other physicians had previously held, viz
| that no chemical analysis or microscopic
| examination eyer had or could detect sew,
age poison. why he did not analyze the
jar of water taken FROM under the draw
bridge has never yet been explained The
only reasonable theory about that is that
the whitewashiDg committee were afraid
it would prove so much purer than the
slough with the sewage added that they did
not wish it analized.)
5. The final fact that Butler. Carse and
Davis, the water works committee. admit,
IN their report, that the pumping works
are wrongly located and may have to be
removed.
Now, after these fcrushing facts have
been established, the Union continues to
deceive itself and tries to deceive others
The public, hundred. to one, believe in
= f5Tz q ~ forth 10 the above state
ment, and the Union, though it may de:
ceive itself and remain in ignorance, cannot
deceive the public.