The Jersey City news., 1891-09-15
TYPHOID Fever HERE.
Hospitals Become Crowded
and Physicians
Kept Busy.
LIKELY TO SPREAD FURTHER.
Medical Opt nion Ascribes the Dis
ease to the Passaic Water
and the Equally
Filthy Sewers.

That an epidemic of typhoid fever is
unavoidable is the opinion of all promi-
nent physicians in all parts Of the city.
The cause is the filthy condition of the
water and of the sewers in various parts
of the city. This morning In the City
Hospital there were twelve patients suf-
fering from this disease and in ST.
F rancis' Hospital there are a half dozen
cases. If not more. These patients are
suffering from the very worst forms OF
the disease. Some Of them are delirious.
Yesterday Otto Falk, of No. 14a Steuben
street, was found in front of his home
suffering from the fever, and an hour
later Patrick Lamb was found in an un-
conscious condition at Warren and
Morgan streets suffering from the same
disease.
In all parts of the city there are num-
berless cases, and the physicians find it
impossible to check the spread.
Ex-ALDERMAN WARDS DEATH.
The only aeath reported from this dis
ease so far is that of ex-Alderman Ward.
Mr.. Ward was confined to his bed TWEEN
ty-two days and died last night at ten
O'Clock.
At the City Hospital the physicians
have been kept busy attending to pa.
tients. many of whom are in critical
condition.
AT St. Francis Hospital the Sisters de-
clined TO discuss the matter, but it is
stated on good authority that many
severe cases bave been treated there dur
ing the past week and every day brings
in new victims.
MEDICAL OPINION.
"What do you think is the real cause OF
the outbreak of typhoid?" asked a we'll
known physician this morning.
''In my Judgment it Is the water peopl 9
are compelled to drink. 1t is a crime to
serve such water to people. I5 Is full of
animal matter, and so far as can see it
is becoming rapidly worse. The intake
OF the jersey City reservoir is so far down
the river that it is impossible to prevent
sewage water being drawn In and
pumped down town for use. The odor
that arises from it is sickening, and un-
less something is done. hunureds OF
eaths will result from the use Of it.
'tThe cases of typhoid that have come
within my work have been the very
worst kinds. In the vicinity of the big
marsh in the heart of this city you can
find case in every second or third
house.
physicians in all parts of lthe city are
unusually busy and are up night and day.
I'VE advise our patients to boil the
water before using 1t. and in this very
manner lives have been saved. The dirty
streets, breaks in sewers. and the water
are responsible for this outbreak, and If
we have much hot weather the death
rate in Jersey City will be enormous.
Never In my experience as physician in
this city have I seen so much typhoid
and in such dangerous form"
RUNNING SINCE JULY.
"How long has it been since you be-
came aware OF this outbreak" l asked.
I'm July" he replied, there were sew
eral cases discovered. and the numbe I
has been steadily increasing"
do you think it has reached its
height" continued.
IF the weather remains cool we may
be able to check it, he continued, "butI
am safe In saying that there are at least
one hundred cases being treated in this
city at the present time. When
fever once takes hold of a
person it drags hin: down
quickly. and the greatest care has to be
exercised with patients. l anticipate
hearing of great number of deaths from
the disease during the coming week"
The disease is most prevalent In the
lower section of the city and especially
near the swamps into which the Hill sew
,pfu