The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1900-11-28

osos0'1os t1o ooo6S w 'o0 eoosSn'S
being carried into wells sod cisterns
adds to the danger As to the die
sanoe, such contamination may be
carried. DO definite opinion can be
given. Some authorities claim that
the typhoid germs can be water borne
sbrougb porous soil or along hard
strata Of rock or msrl for over one
nile s: Experiments with chemicals
iedin, -four aud salt placed in springs
or wells, when tested at long distances.
several hundred yards, the response to
tests have shovs that such agents have
passed with the ground water or
streams from springs to long distances
Mason, in Water Supply, Chap viii,
Ground Water. says: It is hopeless
to depend upon the purifying Influences
of intervening soil to protect wells from
prIvy aud cess pool fouliug, because
soil filtration. in order to be effective,
mast be intermittent. aud that after
= dose Of sewage has been added
to the soil. (aad the dose must not be
l.rge) opportunity for thorough aera.
ton Of the soil must follow or the
second dose cauno: be purified. With
constant aow of pollusing material the
purifying process of soil quickly
ceases :"
2. What diseases are most likely to
result from water contaminated BY the
sepage from GEES pools?
Diarrhoea, d5seutery, typhoid fever,
eholera are the communicable diseases
that are m9st likely to occur from use
of sewage contamination 70 drinking
water. Many examples OF epidemics of
cholera and typhoid fever are recorded
from use Of water polluted with sewage
The germs Of these two diseases more
rapidly perish when dried, but live for
loug periods in damp soil or water.
Experiments show that the spirilium Of
cholera, when placed in sterlized soil
and kept moist may survive for 80
days. The bacillus of typhoid fever in
dry soil perished in 2 to 4 days, 10 wet
soil was active for As days
Surg Gen Sternburg, u s. A. states
that the typhoid germs will survive q:
depth of from 4 to 6 feet under ground
in summer and in wiote. at 9 f.
8 Is the absence Of taste, odor and
discoloraeioO regarded as conclusive
proof that water is pure. wholesome
aud ancontaminated I
In 90 way Gao water be thus judged
as pure. W. 8. Mason. "Water Supply"
D. SIS states ct is fatal error to
fancy that because water has bright.
sparkling, clear appearance and 9
pleasant taste that such water is pure
and wholesome Carbonic acid gas is
what causes the brillisny and refreshing
taste of grouod water and to the solvent
sction of that gas is due the clearoess
of many waters that hold organic
matter 10 solution. Carbonio acid gas
is one Of the products Of sewage decom.
position y
The dangers from the use Of water
polluted with sewage although they
may show the presence of nitrises free
and albumiooid ammonias chlorine, to 8
dangerous degree when subjected to
chemical analysis yet persons nay and
have used such waters without harm
being shown and the water may be
most palatable, but as soon as the cess
pool that consaminates such water
receives the excreta from cholera or
typhoid feve. then will .uoh diseases be
most liable to break out among those
who use such polluted waters. 10 very
dry seasons when the ground water is
low then by gravitation will the
contents from the pr;vy vault and dry
we'll be drawn to the we'll aud cracked
oisterus that are deeper. Nor can We
derecs the presence Of such disease
bearing organisms by chemical analysis,
these conditions can ooly be detected
by the bsoseriologist after csrefrl eul-
.ure and laboratory examination.
4. This l have answered faiiy in
discussing dry wells and their dangers
aud how by construction of tight
receptacles or cess pools With proper
ventilation aud house plum bing the
dangers Gao be lesseoed bat not remov.
ed. I regard the DAGGER fron privy
vaults as great almost as from teaching
oesa pools.
have eDdesvored to give saeh in
formation as you both desire. The
matter is one Of deep interest sad con-
Germ to me aud one that must continue
to cause much trouble to all Of our
communities until the wisdom and
economy Of having proper sewer sys-
ten is apparent. The death rate has
been reduced to such degree 10 all
cities after introduction Of sewers and
the figures are shown in all works of
x..;t.rv onoin aorino and me0ieal works