Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-22


MANIEp situations Page 10
WANTED Oliscellaneous). Page 10
WINTER RESORTS. ...............Pa Page III
bacteria is of no value as an indicator of
sewage contamination, for l have invaria-
bly, found that sewage bacteria increase in
number with the total Bacteriology, IL is
true, is more or less handicapped in the
search for pathogenic bacteria in water but
a skilled observer can easily detect the
amount of sewage pollution by the applica-
ton of methods which bring out the bac-
terra Of intestinal origin.
In casting about for other possible chan
nels of typhoid the Sanitary League has
devoted some attention to the city wells
After some preliminary bacteriological work
l feel no hesitation in saying that some
contain intestinal bacteria, and that these
must first be Closed UP before the Potomac
is to be credited with most of the typhoid
in Washington. / think that IL is possi-
Bile to separate the good wells from the
bad, and by a periodic examination of the
former the poorer classes may still have
the refreshing draught OF cold water in
midsummer. To go back once more to the
Potomac water / fully indorse the necessi-
ty-so well defined by DIR. Smart-of an i'm
provement in the supply looking toward a
thorough sedimentation. If there is one
difficulty with Potomac water which is a
serious one, il is this, that We drink the
water soon after ii has left the river. If We
note, for a moment, the behavior of disease
germs in water, We shall see the reason for
this serious condition. The known patho-
genie bacteria, without exception, find wa
ter of ordinary purity not only too poor in
nutritive substances for their multiplica-
ton, but even destructive to them. A more
or less rapid disintegrat goes on that
the longer the period elapsing between in
lection of the water and its consumption
the less dangerous il becomes. In reservoirs
the bacteria tend TO settle TO the bottom,
and the deposit, therefore, may be danger
Gus for some time after the superna tant
harmless Of Aax
ing this sediment undisturbei, therefore as
was insisted on by DIR. Smart, needs no
further discussion. 1 refrain from quoting
nSures given by various investigators con-
corning the vitality of disease germs i'm
water, because the figures vary within wide
limits as the outcome of experiments made
under different conditions. 1t seems that
such bacteria as typhoid and Asiatic cholera
VIII remain alive at least seven DAYS. So
far as the absolute number OF bacteria in
POTOMAC water may be considered a guide
our water, when free from suspended mat
Ter, contains not many more bacteria than
carefully filtered Berlin water or Croton
water, and only two or three times as many
as water derived from springs. With the
evidence to be obtained from the examina-
ton OF river water directly, we may per
maps, be able to state more positively how
IT compares with other streams
MILK and Infection.
Dr. Smith spoke at some length also Of
milk as a vehicle of Infection Millions
OF bacteria, he said. had been found in a
cubic centimeter of milk Among the dis
eases originating in the body of mich
COWS tuberculosis is at present receiving
most attention. In the more advanced
stages of this disease and occasionally
In earlier stages the udder may become
affected and discharge tubercle bacilli into
tns milk There was no reason TO believe
that milk is responsible for much of the
tuberculosis of adult life, but in the case
OF infants and children il is not at all i'm
probable that tuberculosis is introduced i'm
this way. The dissemination of typhoid
fever has been repeatedly traced 70 milk
the clue being by the coincidence between
the distribution of the disease and the
route OF certain milk dealers. After re-
ferring TO other means of conveying dis
ease Dr. Smith. in concluding, said:
If l were asked what channels of in
lection II Is in the power of every one of
us 10 close up, both as a protection to
ourselves and our families. 1 should sug-
gest the following:
Il. We should, first of all, not move
into houses the recent Sanitary history of
which is not known to US. If the house
has been vacant for some months the
danger of surviving contagia is lessoned
II We cannot obtain a satisfactory history
from the health office il should be our
aim to agitate for an enlarg enent of that
Office so that the work of keeping such a
record may be successfully carried on
If We have found that disease has existed
in the house We should learn to discrim-
mate between the relative danger of diff
ferent infections under the circumstances
l refrain here entirely from making any
suggestions on the subject of disinfec-
ton.
We should at all times favor sunlight
in our homes, darkness and dampness
being the friends of bacteria
-. 1t is advisable to boil all drinking
water
IS. All milk destined for the use of
children should be sterilized.
~. Children should be taught from the
very beginning not to put miscellaneous
things in their mouths nor to exchange
with children school articles of any
kind whatever, as they are liable, sooner or
later, 10 come in contact with the saliva
of children.
-. Dust should be suppressed whenever
possible and children should be taught
to breathe through the nose.
Il might Increase indefinitely the number
of suggestions designed to close the ordi-
nary channels of infection, but 1 think
these are sufficiently broad and general TO
do not doubt mat most of them are fa-
miliar to You, and 4 have simply tried TO
bring before you the principles On which
they founded.
They are, moreover, such Suggestions
as will rest chiefly in the hands of the
mother. i know of no field of work which
will tax the power to absorb and utilize
knowledge more severely than this, none
which viii take you farther into The prob
lens of natural science than the thorough
continuous study of the laws of health and
disease as applied 10 the developing body
and mind h.