Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-09-23
HEALTH OFFICE,
WASHINGTON, September %, 1854.

To the Commissioners Of the District:
Gentlemen:-Reierrlng 10 the reports respecting
the throwing OF the carcaSses of dead hogs into the
Potomac river, above the Great Falls, and your
verbal instructions In regard thereto, have the
honor to present the following:
On Thursday, the 18th inst, In company with Mr.
McGinn, drove far as the Great Falls and
there taking small boat explored the dam. the
reservoir and the river for some two or three miles
above the entrance TO the aQueducL This inspec-
ton failed TO reveal any evidence or the pollution
or the water by the means referred to- and the sll-
perintendent OF the water works at the falls Ie-
ported that, al hOugh he had kept careful look
out. no dead hogs had been discovered in the river
tnereabOutS
Twas informed. however, by numerous boatmen
on the canal and by other persons that there were
numerous carcasseS In both the river and canal
further up
Deeming it advisable to make further investiga-
tiol or the reports L secured the steam packet
Maryland, belonging TO the Chesapeake and Ohio
Canal company, ana on Friday, the 18th instant.
proceeded up the canal on the morning of the
goth the dam at Seneca was thoroughly explored
from shore 10 shore. and only one dead hoy was
found. From this point 10 the Point OF Rocks a
careful survey was made but very lew hogs Were
found. The boatmen, lock-tenders and store
keepers all reported that there had been large
number OF dead hogs floating principally In the
canaD some time since, but recently they had
noticed very few. and they were OF the opinion that
thu cholera, which had been prevailing exclusively
among the hogs, was about dying out
From Point OF RocGs we ran up as far as Berlin.
and there sent the packet back 10 the pon Mt. and
taking two small SklrS We ran down over about
seven miles OF the river This portion OF the Poto-
mac Is wide, shallow and filled with rocks The
water at present is very low and clear as crystal
Here am satisfe1 If at any po:Lt,we should have
found the carcaSseS II they had been thrown In
above. Yet ID our entire course we did not lind a
single carcass This point being some thirty odd
miles above where the water enters the Acqueduct
l became satisfied that there no cause for
alarm respecting the waters pollution, and accord
1ngly started On the return trip.
The circulars and posters which had prepared
for the occasion, calling upon the people OF the
upper Potomac region to assist us In preventing a
pollution OF our water supply. were freely diStrtu-
ted, and 1t was gratifying TO note the universal
cOgntion given TO the terms OF the ,Gest ard the
hearty promises OF cooperation on every hand
The residents along our course one and all con-
demned the practice which, they stated. had been,
In their opinion, tloughtleSoly INDUCED In. and
promised TO render all possible assistance toward
preventing repetition thereof Therefore think
that the inspecting tour while IL forum ately deye
Oped little or no cause for the alarm respecting the
pollution OF our water, IL will have salutary effect
In having brought TO the minds of good citizens
along the shores OF the Potomac above us the TACT
that there is danger TO the people of this District
In the pollution OF the waters OF that stream not
alone by the throwing In OF dead animals, but by
any means whatever.
In conclusion, desire to return thanks TO the
superintendent OF the canal company, who so
kindly placed at our disposal the packet by means
OF which We were enabled to make the inspection,
and to the people along our route, who gladly rem
dered every assistance In their power Very re-
spectfuliy, SMITH TOwNsHEyD. MD.
Health Officer