Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-04-08
GOOD ENOUGH TO DRINK,
After 1t Has Been Filtered and Boiled,
is What the Lancet" Says of the Water
OF Chicago.


Aftor 1t Has Been Filtered and Boiled
is What the Lancet" Says of the Water
OF Chicago.
LONDON, April THE report OF the
commissioners sent by the Lancet,
the leading medical journal OF Great
Britain, TO make an examination
regarding the sanitary condition OF
Chicago with view 10 the better In
formation of British visitors to that city
to that city during the coming Worlds
Fair, states that all the samples OF CHI
cago river water examined showed an
appalling pollution by animal refuse,
Unfortunately mixed with common
sewage.
The pollution begins at the mouth OF
the Chicago river and increases until
the maximum is reached in the vicinity
OF the stock yards near the southern
branch OF the pumping stations where
the filthy conditions defied description.
At certain points the condition OF the
Chicago river was worse than that OF
crude sewage. The smell was vile and
nauseating. The temperature Of the
Chicago river water varied from 1874
t
the river to A degrees at the stock
yards, while the temperature OF the air
did not exceed "a degreers. 1t was sale
therefore to conclude that the condi-
ton OF the Chicago river in summer
would be more abominable.
The analysis of Lake Michigan failed
to furnish any distinct evidence OF
serious pollution. In dealing with the
domestic supply, the report emphasizes
that it is desirable to filter water for
water for drinking since not single
sample of the ordinary supply is entire
ly free from sediment, which In the ma
jority of instances consisted OF vegeta-
bic debris.
Numerous organisms, chiefly Of the
kind peculiar to pond water, were
found. In sample number 80, repre-
senting the water supplied to North
Side residents, dead water fleas were
found floating, Indeed, as regards sus-
pended matter or deposit, the samples
taken in the mains were quite satisfac-
tory as compared with the samples from
the lake.
With proper and efficient filtration,
however, the report says there was
nothing to suggest that the water was
not well suited for domestic and dietet
ic purposes and the residents o. Chicago
were evidently aware Of the desirability
of filtration.
1t may be said truly, continues the
report, that the water supplied from
Lake Michigan is good throughout and
provided 1t Is efficiently filtered and
boiled there would be no chemical OBJ
lection 10 its use. indeed it compares
very favorably with that supplied to
London. 1t is, however, liable to vary
serious pollution so long as the vilest
refuse of the city is thrown into the
lake, but the analysis made does not
prove that this has hitherto caused mis-
chief.
The Lancet, in commenting on the re-
port, couusels visitors to use no water
but that which has been boiled and fl
tered, and concludes:
"Our examination has led on the
whole to a reasSurinR result: but we
cannot feel free from serious miSgiving
as to contamination by ice. To our
own people we commend in the
strongest terms the advice to drink no
water which has been cooled in the
contract with ice; TO the people Of Chi
cago we appeal to provide water sup
ply free from this reproach."