Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-08-01
THE TYPHOID EPIDEMIC.
Interesting Statistics Bearing on the Local
Prospects-Allesheny Somewhat Alarm
ed-Pnrk Wells Denounced.


ed-Pnrk Wells Denounced.
The Bureau of Health report for the
month of July, 107 cases of typhoid fever,
with only 18 deaths resulting from the dis
ease in the Pittsburg district. No great
alarm need, therefore, be felt by the people
as to the widespread report that an epidemic
was going to take place.
In the year 1880 there were 211 deaths out
of 4S2 cases reported to tine Bureau. The
first quarter of the year there were 4Sdeaths
and 81 the second. In the upper Southside
wards the disease was most prevalent, and
it is believed to have been due to the extensive
use of we'll water. In the year 1882 there
were ], 1,7S2 cases reported, which resulted in
268 deaths. Children and elderly people
were more susceptible to it in that year than
those in middle lite. In 1888 there were
1, 142 typhoid fever cases, with 188 deaths,
only 1870 per cent. Eighteen hundred and
eighty-four reported a less number of cases,
but a larger percentage Of deaths. Five
hundred and twenty-five cases were returned
to the bureau, with 130 deaths, a percentage
of 24.8. This unusually high death rate is
explainable by the supposition that the cases
were not fully reported. In 1885 992 cases
were reported, and 154 deaths occurred,
percentage of 1874. The year 1886 saw l, ,045
typhoid fever cases, and 140 deaths, with a
death rate of 1874. In 1887 the largest num-
Der of cases was reported, with the lowest
death percentage between the years 1880 and
1887; there were 1926 cases, out of which
269 died, mortality per cent of 12.1.
When taken in conjunction with this
years report these figures ought to dispel
the anxiety that any unusual epidemic of
typhoid fever is to be feared. The Allie
gheny authorities have not been able to
stamp out the typhoid fever epidemic.
Seven deaths occurred yesterday. DR..
Faulkner thinks that the disease is due en-
tirely to impure water. He also opines that
some of the wells in the park will cause
widespread sickness. He instances well
sunk in Sherman avenue park right in the
center of an abandoned graveyard, and says
that the depth Of 100 feet is not sufficient.
DIR. Faulkner goes on to say, that when
the bodies were removed each grave had
water in it. The remains of Mr.. Siedle had
become so hardened that it resembled
mummy. Another well near the band
stand is within 100 feet of the old Western
Penitentiary, where the bodies of the pris-
oners were buried.
Warden Wright said that when the bodies
were exhumed to be reinterred in Union
dale Cemetery, only part of them were
taken out. An Allegheny Councilman said
that the very idea of drinking the water
from park wells makes him sick
There are 80 cases of typhoid fever at the
Allegheny Hospital. Health Officer Brad
ley thinks the typhoid fever in Allegheny
can be traced to the Johnstown food. He
stated that the agitation about the river
water had caused the residents to resort to
the wells for drinking water.
The Pittsburg health officer said there
was no fear of an epidemic in Pittsburg.
but that there were a number of cases.
There are 20 cases of typhoid fever in the
number of patients in the hospital is 221,
about 40 more than can be well accommo-
dated.