The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1892-08-23
WHERE DISEASE Turks.
Dangers to Health Reek-
ing From the Foul
Passaic.
MIASMATIC INFLUENCES.
1t Means Epidemic to Those Who
Live Near 1t as Well as
Those Who Brink 1t.

AKIN, aug. 20, lo5S--Au aTbIClo
which appeared in the SundayCau of
this city two weeks ago, giving tine testi-
mony of DR.. Thomas Lauterborn with
reference TO tho unhealthy condition Of
the Passaic. attracted considerable at
teution. 1t was the subject of universal
discussion in the upper part of the city.
where a large proportion of the people are
brought in more or less immed ate contact
with the river or the breezes which sweep
over it. In the article it was stated that
the great increase in the daily deposit of
sewage in the water is beginning to have
a harmful effect on those who are on or
about the river with any degree of regu-
larity.
The writer has taken the pains to get
the opinion of Il number of boating men
and the experiences of several would seem
TO point 10 the reliability of DR., Lauter-
born's deductions. The doctor states that
he began rowing early i'll April, rs he
decided to make an effort TO get the
record of the Atlantic States for
rowed during the present sea-
sou. Soon after he was taken ill
with eongestive chiils followed by a low
fever. When he had recovered. as he
HOukHt lie started 10 TOW again auQ IL
WAS not long before he was afflicted with
the same malady. He aud TWO other ply
siciars agreed that he was suffering from
sewer poison, and that he had Inhaled IL
while rowing on the river. He then be-
came a member of the Valencia Boat
Club Of Hoboken, and since that time
has been rowing on salt water. He hnds
his health very much improved and has
had no recurrence of the old symptoms.
DANCER TO oAKSMEN.
II there was but the single testimony of
one mau in this direction one might with
reason set the doctors trouble down to
any one of several causes w1ich he might
have failed to appreciate, His system
might have been running down n it
might have needed only the contact with
either sea air or the damp river breezes
to complete his temporary overthrow.
Athletes while heated, whether on land
or water, have TO be particularly careful
to guard against catching cold after pro-
louged exeTIion. The system is at such a
time peculiarly susceptible to external in
dueuces. it is said, and many a sturdy
young man has caught a cold while sit
ting about after exercise. The cold some
times runs into malaria and not infre-
Queutly to fever, and this as often hap
peus with land athletes as with water
men. DR.. Lauterborn examined bis own
case carefully, however, and besides, says
he had several boating men as patients
IL A&NC l. oANShNb IL NASSASSAI AN
same manner as himself.
A number of Carsmen nave told the
writer within the past week that they
could detect greater impurity in the
river water this year than last. Early
this ummer both the Triton and Passaic
boat clubs abandoned the use of river
water for their shower and needle baths.
The stugnant aud foul waller precipitated
on moist. perspiring bodies was doing
considerable harm. Since the introduce
ton OF P~equannock water to the boat
houses the meu report feeling better.
There are numbers of boatingmen also
WHO will no longer trust themselves for a
swim in the Passaic, it hus became so
vile. Many who do take a plunge occa-
s~ionslly take another bath III city water
aiterward to remove all impurities
brought from the river.
THAT HIDEoUS SCUM.
For over a year oarsiien have CON-
mented upon the unpleasant appearance
OF the water. Almost anywhere one eau
detect a slight scum. Last Tuesday the
writer dipped his hand in the water near
the Midland Bridge. held some of it in
his palm for Il ONE and then let it run
through his fingers. An unpleasant odor
remained. 1t is long since the wash from
oar blades ceased 10 foam wnite and
sparkling. 1t is of an unmistaxabls yell
lowiSh cast.
Last fall there were two eight-oared
crews in training ON the river ali through
August until early in September. Fully
half of these sixteen mel were ill with
maIeTia at one time or another. AT times
Il steam seemed to arise from the water,
and one and all of the oarsinen voted to
give up practice earlier this season. One
of their number, however, was seized
with typhoid fever just at the close of the
seasons practice, aud fingered at deaths
door for several weeks. Many others
have suffered from low fevers like that
described by DR.. Lauterborn. This sea-
son the two eight-nared Gre VS. decided to
have their race and do their training be-
fore the middle of August, aud thus
avoid the experiences of last season.
This plan worked much better, although
two or three men complained of malaria,
which was very probably superipduced by
being close over the water regularly. 1t
would seem, therefore, that the river is
most unhealthy in the spring and fall.
Whenever the sun is out bright and
strong the evil effects of the foul water
are thrown off. When there is a good
breeze blowing also it usually follows
that there is little complaint from ma
laria.
A Woodsider, and his testimony is pre-
cisely similar to that of many others. Sal |
recently hat while sitting on his piazza
one night "a few weeks ago, mist suddenly
appeared. 1t came from the river and
soon passed away, but while It remained
u disagreeable odor was easily dis erni-
BILE. II was not from Listers, but was of
an entirely different character, damp and
uncomfortable, n doubtless unhealthy.
These observations OIL the condition of
the Pass2ic aud the doIefuI influence 1t is
now beginning TO Exert are but n small
part of a good deal that might be said.
The only way in which the pollution of
the erstwhile beautiful river can be
stopped is for the people themselves to
fully realize how sinister a thing is fes-
teriug and growing in their very midst.
Not until the people themselves appear In
active opposition to the growing evil will
anything be done to abate it.
STATE NOTES.