Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-06-13

and make 1t q healthy potable water, as 1t was
a. - t1e outset Dumas examined the water OF
unpoliuted, and where it was found to have a
store OF pure oxygen dissolved to the extent OF
cuplc centimeters in each 1000 Of water.
AZ snort distances down the river as it passed
Inrougn the center of that great city, whose
water gradually became impure from sewer
ical examinations were repeated until when not
mucn more than half way through the city 1t
was Lound that not a particle Of free oxygen was
turn IN the water until a few miles below the
CITY was reached, when the water was found to
co n OF oxygen one cubic centimeter per
1.OOO Vi water. Farther down the proportion
Oh oxygen rose to c. centimeters, and ON,
passing down the river to where it falls into the
Atlantic the oxygen ratio was gradually raised
untli at a point above where 1t debouches into
tne ocean the oxygen in the water showed by
examination o ratio of c. centimeters per
lost, and in q course of 100 miles 1t was able to
draw not only an amount equal to its original
quota but an additional portion had been
fies the river waters, and the only way in which
modern skill can initiate nature is by pumping
IN ar or oxygen into the city reservoirs to sup
Professor Leeds informs the committee in his
letter that the cause of unpleasant odor and
and decomposition of the minute forms of life,
notn animal and vegetable, which abound
therein, and that one Of the best modes of pre-
that is, to supply it while it is in the basins
(either deposfting or distributing with atmos-
ts a15 in rapidly and large
IN ar Is to furnish the proper amount
OF OF oxygen gas, without which, dissolved
anta or NO form Of life whether
time. It has been objected to this recommen-
aatlen that to aerate water or oxygenate is in
Ine nrst place exp ensive, and secondly that it
mas mas not been tried sufficiently extensive to JUS
Try ar It's adoption Both Of these assigned reasons
obtained at tolerably cheap rates, and the ex-
pertinent has been tried of aerating water both
cheaply and abundantly in this country and in
Europe. This method Is the most efficient mode
OF purifying potable river waters which have
Deen polluted by organic matter on the large
scale and as this aeration would only need to
be applied occasionally its temporary cost
should not prevent its adoption. PROF.. Leeds re-
commends 1t.
this. discussion with this additional sug-
gest1on: Those charged with the care and
improvements in our District, and indeed all
citizens who desire that our city should improve
In beauty, sizo and health, would do well to
consider what should be done towards that end,
now while the land along the river bank above
the city is still to be purchased at q reasonable
rate, 1T should be secured by the city or the
general government This may yet be a manu-
featuring city, and nowhere are there more
favorable sites for such occupations, than along
large park should be laid out on each side of
the river, which should include the position
and vicinity of the present conduit now in
such danger Of being defiled; which park, being
of large dimensions and well planted, would
make healthful city sanitarium for sick,
weakly children. Had this park been located
there now, this public scare would most likely
never have arisen. The good people of Phila-
delphia some years ago laid out the Paramount
park for the very purpose for which this sug-
gestiOn is thrown out here, namely: to diminish
preventing the establishment of manufactures
injurious to health too close to the city.