The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1879-06-20
WATER sUprLY.

"Water, next to air, il the chief neces-
sary Of life" We may even place Il be-
fore food, because ali fool is largely com
posed Of II; aud it is required. too, for
personal cleanliness. and for the purid-
cation Of our houses aud their surround
ings.
Running streams and springs, which
are the best sources Of water supply.
should be frequently examined, in order
TO detect otherwise unsupported causes Of
pollution.
Cistcrns should be constructed Of suit
able material, carefully built and covered,
and 50 placed that no foul air can pass
through or over the water they contain.
Inc overflow pipes from cisterns should
be free from connection with any other
pipes. Roofs and cutters supplying els
terms must be frequently inspected, and
some simple coutrivance should be adopt-
ed TO insure their careful cleansing, be-
fore the water is allowed to run iato the
c!stcrn. Cistern water ought 70 be fre-
qucnuy examined and kept free from
color odor, or other indications OF i'm
purity.
Wells are the most dangerous sources
OF water supply, for few wells are safe
from surface pollution. Wells should,
therefore, be properly located 10 avoid
all possible risk Of contamination from
tAeir surroundings, carefully built with
elevated curbs and covered tops The
water they contain should be examined at
sholt intervals.
simple method Of examination is By
dissolying lump of loaf sugar IN auan
tiiy Of the suspected wator in T. clean
bottle, which should have close fitting
glass stopper. Set the bottle 10 the win
dow Of room where the sunlight will
fall on il II the water remains bright
and limpid after a weeks exposure, il
may be pronounced fl for use. But il it
becomes IN bid during he week, it con-
taius enough impurity to be unhealthy.
Such water should not be used for drink
ing purposes until IL has been boiled and
filtered; after which it should be aeratcd
BY any simple process, such as pouring Z
several times from one vessel into IN
other Ia the open air. The addition of a
solution Of permangGuRte Of potassa will
also sorve' IN most cases, 70 sufficiently
f''--sf5 - - Co. -i--i--'-i-
grains OF the permRngGDAte 70 ooe ounce
OF distilled or boiled water will make the
solution. Add one drop Of this TO half q
pint OF the suspected water; If the red
tint disappears in half an hour, add an
other drop. For every drop that loses its
color in the half pint, there viii be from
one half 10 two grains CT organic impu-
rity IN one gallon Of the water. If such
water must be used, drop in the perman-
ganate until the red tint remains; the
solution in this proportion is not injuri-
GUS, nor does II taste unplcGsanuy.
DwELLISGs
The prime conditions Of health in q
house depend upon cleanliness, pure air,
and unpolluted water; the prompt and
thorough removal of all refuse and the
perfect exclusion Of all foul matters aris-
ing outside the house
Good ventilation is absolutely necessary
Rooms should be frequently aired, and p
daily visit from DR.. Sunshine encouraged.
Oyercrowding is n fruitful scurc. OF air
pollution in dwellings.
Jealous attention sh ould be paid 70 cell
lars, pantries and passages. Mold. damp
ness aud foul smells are never to be ne
elected. The suns rays, free ventilation
and a lavish use Of whitewash are excel
lent scavengers-
The floors Of dwellings should DC fire.
quently washed Choose for this purpose
Ia dry day; doors and windows 10 be left
open during and after the operation until
thoroughly dry. The floors OF dwellings
should always DO raised from three to
four feet above ground, so as to insure
perfect ventilation beneath, and the site
should be higher than the surroundings,
80 as at all times TO prevent dampness or
presence Of stagnent water.
pIsINrEcTAyTs AND DEoDoRAHrs.
More than half of these agents are
valueless IN preventing disease, and
| dangerous as being productive Of false
security.
Heat and pure air arc the best of all
disinfectauts. Where other agents are
! necessary, the following list viii be found
useful: Copperas, Quicklinc, Charcoal,
Carbolio Acid Chloride Of Lime, Chloride
OF Zine, SC.