Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1895-05-23

of the whole, is the fact that the charac-
teristic rose colored spots of the abdomen
have not appeared before the 10th or 18th
day l think that others must have had
the same experience and trust to hear
your ideas on the peculiar phase of the
disease.
One other fact, have investigated and
which will at least be of interest to the
practitioners of this city. 1t is the water
supply in Is of DR.. G. W. Martins cases
of typhoid fever from March 1894 to
March 1895.
Typhoid Fever and the Water Supply Of Au-
gusta.
In these cases, all of which had
the characteristic rose colored spots
of typhoid, l inquired very carefully
prior to the commencement of the patients
sickness. My object in making this in
vestigation was to ascertain if any partic-
ular water drank was the source of con-
tagion.
March 22d 1894, Miss NJ, age 90, Hos
pital street. drank water from spring in
the field, removed from any dwellings.
April 7th, Mr.. H., age 33, Myrtle street,
drank city water mostly.
Aug. LIST Miss S, age 90, Dayton street,
drank Diamond spring water may have
drank city water once within three weeks
of sickness, but not sure.
Aug. 18th, Miss T., age "a, s5 Sewall
street, Diamond spring water, no other.
Aug. 25th, Miss W, age 30,57 Western
avenue, drank no other water for last six
weeks than from Mayor Milliken's well.
No other cases from this source.
Aug. Goth. Mrs. S., age 40, Dayton
street, drank Diamond spring water
only.
Sept 1st. Mr.. D., age 90, North street.
drank Devine water, only.
Sept. 25th, Master W., age 5, Whitney
brook only water drank was from Nor
cross spring.
Oct 18th, Master D., age 1876 Chapel
street, drank from we'll near house.
Nov LIST, Miss S, Murrey street. only
water drank was from spring in cellar of
residence.
Nov. 18th, Mr. R., age 10, School street,
drank city water, principally.
Dec. 9th. Mr.. p, age 32, Northern
avenue, uses city water.
Dec. end, DR.. p, age 4S, Bridge street,
drank Devine water only.
Jan. Sd, 1895, Master H., age II, Ban
gor street. uses city water.
Feb 18th, Mr.. H., age 3d. Bridge street,
drank city water.
| 1t will be observed that OF these cases
of fever five used city water, three Dia-
mond spring water, two Devine water,
| ~, OH Hro uafa
three springs and two wells
The fifteen cases were all within the
city limits and we'll distributed in all Sec
tions. The city water works has 1900 SER
vices and the Devinc 200. allowing six
persons in q family when water goes to a
house, would make the estimated number
Of persons using city water 1900 and l20t
using Devine water, which makes ma
| iority of persons in the city using city
water. The Diamond spring water Is
also used by large number OF persons.
The whole number of cases of typhoid
fever reported to the health officer was 81
from March 1894 to March 1895 including
the Is above. Only in two cases out OF the
other 20 was the water used given, one
used city water and the other spring
water.
The logical conclusion from the above
facts, is, that al, Of our chief water sup
plies contain typhoid bacilli; or we must
look to other sources for contagion.
1 The accumulated thought and science
of the last century is grasping and con
flrming the virulence and spread OF In
fictitious diseases. Smallpox Is virtually
cxterminated, cholera Is confined. typhu;
fever has no more its terrible ravages
scarlet fever Is becoming rare. diphtheris
NAV have met its fate in anti toxine ane
typhoid fever is being restricted by tint
use of disinfectsnts. Science Is advancing
and the power Of infection is being de
stroyed. When we consider the progress..o
the past century, who shall say that thu
, next may not witness the destruction O
all diseases outside of those due to age
habits, and such as mortals are and al
ways will be subject.
! The following officers were elected
President, DR.. Daniel Driscoll OF Sidney
vice president, DR.. o. W. Turner, Au
eusta secretary and treasurer, DR.. D. P
, Boulster. Augusta; standing committee