St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-02-16
THE WATER WE DRINK.
What the Authorities at Washington Say
about ST. Johnsbury's SuppIy-State-
nents that will Surprise our Readers.


1t will be remembered that some
time ago, in answer to a genera
demand on the part of our people,
DR.. Bullard, the health officer, sent
six samples of water from st. Johns
burys supply to Washington, for
analysis and report, with view to
getting at the extent to which the
drinking water was responsible tor
the prevalence here of typhoid fever.
DR.. Bullard has received from the
Museum of Hygiene, in Washington,
the results of the analysis of the
several samples, accompanied by
some remarks concerning the
character of the specimens submitted.
PAssUMPsIc RIVER WATER.
Two samples of this were sent-one
from the pond above the filter, the
other from faucet below the filter.
After giving the tchenical details OF
the chemical examination OF the
water from the pond (Which are not
of special interest to the general pub
lic), the report says: 1.-The examlna-
ton of this water does not indicate
any contamination, but does indicate
good potable water. An ordinary
water bacillus was the only form
found in this sample. 1t occurred in
small numbers"
OF the water taken from faucet,
below the filter, the report is: This
water seems to have deterlorated by
passing through filter. Upon igni-
ton of the residue after evaporation
the odor of burnt sugar is obtained.
This water is to be regarded as sus-
picious. No forms of bacteria were
= found in this water, except two OF
the ordinary water bacillus, which
occurred in great quantities" ."
STILES POND WATER.
y Ofa sample of this water taker
II from the pond, above the filter, the
d report says: This water is not tc
II be regarded as polluted. Three or
binary water bacilli are found in thi
sample in small numbers"
Regarding a sample taken from be
- low the filter, the verdict is. "Fi
. tration has not improved this water
- though it has not injured it as muc
- as in the case OF the river. Thre
ordinary bacilli are found in larg
numbers"
FROM MOOSE RIVER.
Of au unhltered sample taken froI
~ Moose river, at the bridge in PaC
dock village, the authorities say
THE free and albumenoid ammonia
~ in this water are rather high, br
not sufficiently so to condemn i
Two ordinary water bacilli and OF
saprophytic microccus are found
he this sample"
d. FROM sLEEPER'S RIVER.
Concerning untiltered water take
ny from SIeepers river at point ne;
y it's junction with the Passumpsi
# this is what they say: This is Il
nd best water of the six for drinkir
ry purposes. The examination inc
Gated no contamination whateve
w. Two of the ordinary water form
he are found in this sample"
ng A FINAL COMMENT.
Accompanying the reports Civ
IA ~" above was note from Medical l
,ht rector Wales, which said:
ng "No forms of bacteria are toui
are which could be connected with t
M phoid fever, only the ordinary wat
| a forms and one saprophytic microcc
Ost occurring.
"The filtration of the river "a
'as the pond water does not seem
Z. have been a success, as the eXamit
tn ton shows the unhtered in DO
vas cases to be the better, both cher
me cally and bacteriologically.
re- I" Be pleased to send descripti
,m- to this museum of the method of
tration that has been in use"
"THE STORY or OUR POST OFFICE
+r;c This is the title of a new bo
the which is written by Marshall Gu
,ro- ing, the wel-known newspaper c
ant respondent, and for four years
and Wanamaker's private secreta
vac. Mr.. Cushing's official life has ma