Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1899-01-27

nected with this work or understand the amount
OF time required. We wish, however, to be of
much aid to people Of tho state in this matter
as possible; SO that all analyst, are undertaken
which give promise that really valuable facts
may be attained in tho work. In this way We
are learning much about tho sources Of such dis
eases as typhoid fever. We do net undertake IA
water analysis unless sufficient facts accom-.
pany the sample to allow of reasonable couclu-
sions being drawn from tho laboratory work
But when undertaken all facts and observa-
tions are recorded in permanent form. From
these records Of Investigation and observations
it is very apparent that tho farm population
Of the state must soon take more care Of tho
source Of drinking waters at the different
homes. Typhoid fever is becoming very prove.
liant in the farming districts and in nearly every
case Of local outbreak yet carefully exam.
ined the source of disease is tracable to the
water Of tho cistern or Of the we'll or spring.
A late analysis serves for illustration; In the
spring of 1897 son Of Mr.. Carl Piper Of Addi-
son, N. d. returned from tho lumber woods OF
Minnesota sick Of typhoid, dying after an ex.
tended sickness. During tho foil and winter OF
1897 two children became sick Of tho disease
and later Mr. Piper. tho father has sickened
and died Of the same. At the present writing
n fifth member Of the family is i'll of typhoid.
This farm has no history Of typhoid fever pre-
vious to the case first mentioned. There are
two deep wells upon the place, an examination
of tho waters Of which, just finished by labor.
atory assistant, Mr. Field, discloses the pres
ence of Bacillus typhi abnominalis and bacillus
colicommunis showing that there has been di-
rect infection by way of these we'll waters. The
disease, in this case, was in all probability pro-
duced by the first case from the lumber woods.
Tho wells may hav become contaminated either
from tho private sink, too close by or from ex-
crementia from the sick room not properly dos.
troyed. This case is cited from among mum.
Dor as matter Of information to people using
cistern or homo we'll waters. Too great care
cannot be exercised whom there is patient sick
with this disease in tho homc Undisinfected
slops from tho sick room carelessly thrown up.
on tho ground at tho rear of the house or in the
barnyard readily dry up and arc blown about
as dust, fyin g into wells. upon roofs and thus
into cisterps, or into other waters and food no.
ceptacles. The we'll should be scrupulously pro.
tected from drainage water, from private sinks,
swamps, and bamyards and from falling dust.
Disenfectants as used arc often worthless or in
sufficiently applied. In case Of such sickness a
physician should be asked to prescribe disin.
fectant to be used upon all slops in the sick
room and to advise as to the means Of prevent.
ing future outbreaks. As cheap effective dis
infective for such purposes always easily kept
on hand ready for use, Imost strongly recon-
mend copper sulphate,-blue vitrol. It does
not readily lose its strength and may be relied
upon to kill all germs with which it comes in
contact. Use one pound of powdered crystals
to four or five gallons Of water. sufficient
number Of dishes, spoons and SO on should bc
set aside to be used in the sick only and II
possible these should be cared for and thorough
ly scalded after each using by some person
who does not work in tho kitchen or have any
thing to do with the preparation Of the food for
the family or with vessels used for drawing or
handling water about the we'll.
PROF. HENRY L. BOLLEY.
Agricultural College N. d.
Jan. 18th. 1899.