The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-05-14
MUSTTEST THE WATER
BOARD OF HEALTH TAKES ACTION
I ON REPORT OF DIR FERGUSON.
Some Of the Means Employed by the
Sanitarfan I'm HIS Examfna tfons
for Fecal Eac GILL.

AT a special meeting Of the City Board of
Health last night the present condition of
the city water as furnished by the Indianap-
oils Water Company was discussed and de-
cisive action on the vexatious question was
taken. The board will demand that COM
petent chemist and bacteriologist be en-
ployed to thoroughly analyze the city water.
This examination is to be made at once. DR..
Ferguson. city santarian. submitted q re-
port or his investigations TO the board,
which showed that the water IS contami-
mated. DR.. Ferguson urged that some steps
be taken at once.
Unless there is some source from which
this bacteria Is constantly imported into the
water" said the eanitarian. at may disap
pear at any time and this investigation
should be made right away. Then when the
test is made the water may be found chem
ically pure. The fact that these germs are
likely to disappear at any time does not
mean that the water is free from contamina-
ton. The germs may reapppear within
few days after the water has been declared
pure. Hence IL the test is not made at once
while the water is visibiy had. and the pol
luton Is not constant, it viii cast discredit
upon the board"
OTs. duu cline, Oh tHe podEu, were
In favor of having the test made at once.
Under the contract which the city made
with the water company Jan. 6. 1892, the
Board Of Health and Charities with the
Board of Public Works has right to de-
mand an investigation of the condition of the
water supply at any time. The contract pro-
vides that the expense OF such examination
be borne equally by the city and the water
company. In cases pertaining to the purity
of the water the Board of Health and
Board of Public Works each has a vote. In
accordance with this contract the board
adopted the following resolution:
Having been informed by the city SAN
itarian that the city water supply contains
pollution, we respectfully invite the Board of
Public Works TO join with the Board of
Health in asking the water company TO ap-
point chemist and bacteriologist 10 test the
purity OF the water now furnished by said
water company as provided in Section 10 of
the contract made between the city and
water company Jan. o. 1892
II am only too glad that this water ques-
ton has been brought up" said DR.. Field.
II feel that it has not come too soon. This
is the most important question that can
come before the people of this city, and ii
should be fully investigated. know the
water at my house has been most unsatis-
factory and I presume Il is the same way
in other parts of the city
THE TESTS WHICH HAVD BEEN MADE
Yesterday afternoon, in the presence Of
two reporters, DR.. Ferguson made some of
the tests which are accepted by all chemists
as conclusive proof Of the presence of fecal
bacteria and every one of them showed the
result as indicated by the books when such
bacteria is present He was not satisfied
with single test. or with two or three,
but vent through the process OF testing for
the bacteria by every known agency. nine in
ALL He placed some of the water taken from
&..l~
water had been cultivated on slide and ex-
hiDited IL under a microscope of 800 power
The bacteria was there perfectly plain. This
sample was taken from tube in which
culture solution OF beef tea, acdulated with
carbolic acid, was the medium for the
growth of the bacteria. 1t is known that
only two forms Of bacteria will grow in such
culture medium-fecal and typhoid. This
was good proof that the bacill seen were
either fscal or typhoid. To show that it
was really a living bacillus seen under the
microscope, DR.. Ferguson then exhibited a
drop of the same solution without straining
ana consequently Without. killing the mi
ing about. They were. perfectly plain TO the
eye.
which he used and on which he made his
report last night TO the Board of Health
His first test was to place drop of city
water in. a cuhure-tube containing a car
boEzed solution of beef tea. It is accepted
by all psychologists as a settled fact that
only two forms of bacini will grow in this
two sought Each day, since the first OF
this month DR.. Ferguson has treated a drop
of the city water in this way In every
case after twenty-fourl hours there was a
distinct growth of bacteria.
But this was not enough to satisfy Dr.
Ferguson. He followed this up by Submit
ting portion OF the inoculated culture
medium to the indol test which, 10y the adj
dition of few drops of suiphuric acid, gives
found to show the presence of fecai bacteria
The next test was the growth of the bacllii
In sterilized potato. In this medium fecal
bacteria grows with a Characteristic ap-
pearance- which is different from that of
other bacilli and this appearance was plain
in the test
bacteria coagulates il very rapidly. Then to
make sure the milk solution was further
tested with blue litmus paper, which turned
red. characteristic of fecal bacteria under
such conditions. ~
1t is also characteristic of fecal bacteria
that its growth generates a gas of peculiar
odor readily recognized by any one. whether
chemist or not. In the generation OF this
gas In a semi-solid medium, such as glucose,
the medium Is naturally broken up with
many bubbles cont tanning the gas. This test
presented all these characteristics.
The next test was the deterioration of
corraine peptone. The natural color of this
solution is pink, but fecal bacteria removes
all this color. In the test this reaction was
complete. the liquid becoming as devoid of
added. The microscopical test, while not as
certain as the others, because of Its depend
ing upon the ability OF the DacterlOiOgiSt to
recognize the form and movements of GER
tain bacilli, was also applied with results
equally as conclusive, SO far as this test
would go.
DR.. Ferguson resents the imputation OF
Mr.. Davis that Il will take better proof than
his work to be convincing He says he
was much surprised on making his first test
that focal bacteria was found, and went
through the operation again, being extreme
ly careful that his culture medium did not
become contaminated from the air or other
sources Even then one test did not satisfy
him and he went through all known tests
so as to be absolutely certain before MAX
ing any announcement to the public.
In an interview yesterday F. A. w. Davis,
the statement of DIR. Ferguson that he had
not found the fever bacilli, and holds that
to be conclusive proof that the typhoid
fever in the city has not been caused by
the city water. In the course of his state
ment he says IL seems that the creamery
referred to In DR.. Ferguson's statement
Tuesday must leave considerable water in
its cans. The cans might be wiped per.
fectly dry and still contain enough of the
bacilli to breed millions in twenty-four
hours He says II will require other evil
dence. and that OF chemists of higher
standing than DR.. Ferguson, TO be convinc-
ing that fecal bacteria have actually been
found in the water.
1--WE shall have with us in a few days."
Mr.. Davis said. 'Allen HaZen, of Boston,
noted chemist and high authority. and he
will be employed to make examinations OF
our water. He was the Massachusetts,
State chemist"
DIR. FERGUSON REPLIES.
In speaking of the statements of Mr.
Davis. DR.. Ferguson said: IF the water
c0unanv will take the ar7xica of Dr Hazan