The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-10-02
WE NEED BETTER
SANITARY LAWS.
Our Water is Better Than the Plumb
ing Says Sanitas.
INSTANCES OF FEVER INFECTION.
Suggestions Arising Of the Recent
Discussion Before the Academy Of
Medicine and Surgery-Do Not
Go to Bed Hungry.

The discussion az the jast meeting OF
the Richmond Academy Of Medicine and
Surgery developed some facts that it were
well the public were acquainted with.
Superintendent Bollngs' remarks on the
water we drink. were timely, instructive
and interesting. From analysis made BY
various scientific gentlemen. 1t would APP
es&r that Il WAS wholesome. The death
rate OF Richmond from typhoid fever as
noted an the reports Of the Board of
Health, is low. and the siurs therefore,
cast upon the water would seem 90 DE
baseloss Yet, as intimated by one Of the
physicians discussing the question, some
physicians were dorelict In reporting their
cases Of typhoid fever. Added to this,
may DC a number Of cases Of what are
called walking or amDulatory typhoid
Being so. statistics, as some one said long
ago. will lie. II Is a fact in The expert
Cncc OF every physician In Richmond, that
this fever cOns1-, utes an important part
IA his practice not only because Of It's
gravity. but also from the large number
Of patients suffering from IL. Even
though one person have the disease, he
has that within him sufficient TO infect
the y hole community. A classic illustra-
ton OF this is In the town Of Plymouth.
Penna. A man living above the town IS
suffering from the disease during the
winter. had his dejecta thrown upon the
river bank. Spring coming on. the snow
melted and drainage set in toward the
river from which the water Of the town
Was supplied. That year there were 5000
cases Of typhoid fever in Plymouth all
directly traceable 20 this one. This would
seem incentive enough 10 bring about
"A thorough policing Of the river banks
and all its trii utarios. Likewise. have
az LAO
OF scarlet fever and diptheria, been trac-
cd to one dairyman. the disease following
his route. ana originating IN his home
from poison ing either Of a spring or well
water These then too should also re-
ceivc most minute examination not
alone chemical. for that really is Of lit
tie practical value, but also bacteri0log-
zeal.
FAULT IN THE PLUMBING
Let US say however that the water
is wholes ONE both in the forebays and
the reservoirs. and is delivered so at the
house. But there is fault in the plumb
ing-either there is no trap TO the sew
age pipe, or the gas can reguryitate into
the supply pipe. What eventually hap
pens or rather. occurs? Fever The
plumbing i'm large number Of houses in
Richmond. one can venture TO say, Is not
alone old. but any thing but sanitary.
and the landlords are culpable, and In
reality. accessory to, II not absolutely
guilty OF murder, who allow such con-
dition OF things TO remain. Sometimes,
the fault apparently. is with the tenants
who 10 get rid of the OdOrs Of a faulty
closet. allow the water 10 run constantly,
thereby providing a quicker method for
developing disease. for then the sewage
can gain easy access to the supply pipe
and the water from II is used later for
drinking purposes. A truly disgusting
and horrible condition of affairs, as DR..
Gordon truly said: I'VE are the freest
and 1t is said. least law ridden people
on Gods fOOtstool, but we have lawmak-
ers who are constantly adding TO the
burden statistics that are often not only
useless, but also harmful in their effects.