Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-09
REAL CAUSE TO FEAR.
Choked-Up Sawmill Run Menace to
Health in the West End.
TYPHOID FEVER ALREADY THERE,
And Physicians Fear an Ugly Epidemic
May Yet Break Out.
TIE DAMS BAD EFFECT on SEWERS

The citizens of the West End are growing
more indignant because the dam in Sawmill
run is allowed to stand. The heirs of the
Woods estate, however, are determined that
it shall remain unless the courts compel
them to remove 1t.
SIT is very natural" said resident OF
Temperanceville to a DISPATCH reporter
Yesterday, "that these people should want
to keep the dam. They own property on
both sides of the river, and have built crib
hing along both its banks to prevent wash
outs. The dam backs up the water and the
sand and gravel.which run down the stream,
and so helps to keep the cribbing in posi-
tion. The dam increases the value of their
property; but it does not add anything tc
the health of the community"
FRIGHTFUL EFFECT OF IT.
Since the dam was built it is claimed that
the mouths of sewers opening on the run
have been almost entirely closed by the
refuse forced into them by backwater. The
bed of the stream is already higher In many
places than the mouths of TIE sewers. The
consequence is the sewers are constantly
filed with refuse of all kinds that cannot
find an outlet, and the filth is gradually
finding its wav back into the cellars OF the
Temneranceyille houses. After a hot
spell the stencil along the banks OF the
stream is something horrible.
The whole situation bids fairly for an cpl
demic. The place lies very low, is almost
as hot as an oven, and as dusty and dirty In
many places as even health officials could
wish it to be- If an epidemic once got a
good start in the place, it would make terri
bic ravages.
Several prominent physicians of Temper
ancevilIe were seer in regard to the rumors
that an epidemic oftyphoid had already set
in. Yes" said one OF them, ''it is true
that typhoid fever is already very bad.
Myself and colleague have attended IL
cases within the last two weeks. l would
not like to say, however, that it is all due
to the dam, though that may be an element
in the causes. A variety of causes are
probably to blame"
MALARIAL AND TYPHOID.
Several other physicians were seen, and
all reported fever prevalent, to a greater or
less extent Some we're rather cautious In
EXPRESSING an opinion, and were inclined
TO believe the typhoid fever reported was
simply form OF some malarial fever.
DIR. j. w. Neely, one of the most promi-
nent physicians OF this end of the city, did
not agree with this latter view. "The symp-
toms in most of these cases are those of
downright typhoid lever" said he. MIND
you, now, however, cont claim that the
disease is any worse now than it ever was at
this time of year; but you can set me down
as saying this: That if the dam is not re-
moved in very short time, it will breed a
terrible pestilence in the community"
sThere can be no doubt, then, that fever is
prevalent in the West End, and that the
dam should be removed, as the city is en-
deavoring to do. Not one of about ten
physicians spoken to hesitate in pronounc-
ing it a terrible menace to good health.
The preliminary steps taken to have the
dam removed were in favor of the citizens oi
the ward, and it is proboble that the case
will soon be taken to court. ..,