New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-08
TIE WATER SUPPLY OF CHICAGO.

4 REPORT by THE LANCETs" COMMISSIONERS
MED OF BOILING AND FILTRATION.
London. April THE report Of the commissioners
sent by "The Lancet the leading medical Journal
OF Great Britain. make examination regarding
the sanitary condition Of Chicago. with view TO the
better Information OF British visitors to that city
during the coming Worlds Fair. states that all the
samples Of Chicago River water examined slowed
AN appalling pollution b. animal refuse indlscrlm
naely mixed with common sewage. The pollution
begins at the mouth Of the Chicago River. and In
until the maximum Is reached near the STOCK
yards near the southern branch Of the pumping
station, where the filthy conditions dehed descrp
ton. At certain points the condition OF the Chicago
River was worse than that OF crude sewage. Tue
smell was vile and nauseang. The temperature OF
the Chicago River water varied from SO degrees
Fahrenheit at the mouth Of the river TO A degrees
al the siocy ards while the temperature OF the air
did not exceed "a degrees. II WAS safe. therefore.
TO conclude that the condition OF the Chicago River In
summer would be abosninable
The analysis Of the water OF Lake Michigan falled
to furnish any distinct evidence OF serious pollution
In dealing With the domestic supply the report EN-
pha sizes that II Is desirable TO filter lake water for
Drinking since not II single sample Of tho ordinary
supply Is entirely free from sediment WIN proP'f
and efficient filtration, however, the report SAYS
there was nothing suggest that the water was moi
we'll suited for domestic and dietctlc purposes an"
dcslral.llty Of filtration. Two samples had been
Through pasteur filters: nevertheless these were
bad n not worse taan the ordinary nnhler'd sup
ply. The IXamiHatiOn made distinctly shul'"'eu
impure Ice melted In the water after hnra"on'
1t NAV be- said truly. confines the report ua'
the water supplied from Lake Michigan Is goou 'n'o"e
ont snd provided Il Is efficiently filtered and bo''ed
there would be no chemical objection 10 us Po"o'c
use Indeed It compares iavorably with that supphei
TO London IL Is however, liable To serious pollution
rs long as the vest refuse Of tie city Is thrp"h
INTO the lake, but the analyses maze DO no, Pro'e
that this has hitherto caused mischief IN VIC" vi
the excellent character Of Lake Michigan wafer "
Is suicidal to run the risk being run Of seriously
pouting so unlimited "A pure supply by mn ugly
drumming process There are more rational, more
wholesome aud more erectuu means OF dspo'ing OF
sewage and refuse.
1.-THE Lancet In commenting the report. conns"l'
visitors 10 use no wafer but that which has o'"h
boiled and filtered and concludes: "Our examination
has led on the whole. 10 rens 'Iring result but v.
cannot feel free from serious sgivlng uh'i reAssreI
sia tics IN our possession show that Chicago suffered
from typhoid fever nearly eight lines n much as
London In lso ana nearly tweye r, nm s c rs mlG
In Tho strongest terms the advice 10 drink no water
which has been cooled In contact with Ice. To the
people Of Chicago We appeal TO povid" water supply
free. from this rcproach.'
anso Ar Apr, to 1S%sc lat rsDr BY T%o
London Lancet" 10 tcst The water supply Is an agree
nom The L1ncci'" said DR.. War; came here last
summer on n shunt. They took samples OF the
water but whether from the lake the river don't
know, and shipped them all the way to London TO t,
IL. analyIed IN" pLfr.t water from the bottom OF
III" lake would undergo great changes In a trip 10
London but the Commissioners never Thought Of that.
About five weeks ago ! received from The Lancet
report absirdly incorrect, and the water supply
cordcmncd. | At one" cabed 10 The Lancet ard or
dcrcd that the report be withheld from publication
until could send the facts. then sent analy sis
mndc by Professor IIainrS. and reports and draw.
ugs showing how the water supply obtained.
The Lancet Commissioners did not discover
that there such thing rs the fonr.nIle tunnel.
The Lancet has evidently acted honOribly la the
matter and has modified It's report"