Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1900-01-20
CITY WATER
FULL OF BUGS
Highest Bacteriological Author
ity in the United States
Makes
CAREFULLY DETAILED REPORT

EVENING JOURNAL SENT SAM
PLIES OF WATER FROM CITY
SERVICE PIPES AND FROM THE
FRANKLIN STREET SPRING FOR
EXPERT SCIENTIFIC ExAMINA-
TIoN FOR DISEASE GERMS If
THEY EXIST IN THE WATER.
Is the water used by the people Of
Wilmington pure or is it contaml-
mated? During the recent prevalence
OF typhoid fever.in the city the ques-
tion was anxiously debated by appre-
hensive citizens all over the city. The
Evening Journal urged that the city
have the question conclusively settled
by the highest chemical and bae-
THEOLOGICAL authorities in the United
States, and the city procured opinions
from the state and other institutions
and experts.
The reports were reassuring; but
they were not from the highest au-
thorities. and the Evening Journal de-
termined to take the matter up on its
own account and go at once to the most
eminent authority in the country upon
meteorological and chemical tests. Of
water and foods.
The Institute Of Chemistry, Pathol-
ogy and Bacteriology. No. As East For
ty-second street, New York City. being
recognized as the most advanced insti-
tuition in that line, the Evening Journal
decided to secure an examination there
Of water from the city service pipes and
from the spring at Fourth and Frank
lin streets.
The Institute OF Chemistry Pathol-
ogy and Bacteriology is under the i'm
mediate direction Of the most eminent
experts. Rudolph A. Witthaus, NJ. d.,
director Of the department OF chemis-
try and toxicology, is the chief He Is
recognized all over the world as tho
ablest chemist living. Ills works are
conclusive authority for all chemists
He holds the chair OF chemistry for the
Cornell University Medical College, as
well as control Of the chemistry de-
partment OF this institute. FarQuhar
Ferguson, NJ D.. is director OF the de-
partment OF pathology, and Ferdinand
M. Jeffries, M. d., is director Of the
department of bacteriology. He Is also
director in the New York Polycllnic.
When this institute makes an exami-
nation and reports results there is
nothing left to learn in the case, and
, tho Evening Journal submits its re-
2 port upon the waters from the service
pipes Of Wilmington and from the
I spring at Fourth and Franklin streets
with no little satisfaction; and it will
! be a great satisfaction to our readers
to have the character Of these waters
e conclusively determined.
, The samples OF water we're secured
! by a Journal reporter, who was ably
! assisted in the work by Secretary Wig
: ellsworth. Of the Board OF Health, who
\ kindly rendered his services without
! charge.
The sample OF city water was draw
h from a spigot in the restaurant o
J. Clarence Holt, on East Fourth street
E, and was Of the same character that Mr.
., Holt daily supplied to his customers
- The second speciman was taken from
e the Franklin street spring at Fouru
1t end Franklin streets. The sample
le we're placed in bottles, which had beel
n thoroughly s;eriliEed, as we're also tn
n choppers. These bottles were CAREFUL
e. marked to designate each sample an
Fe the corks securely sealed TO preven
re any foreign bacteria entering the watel
le They we're then placed In a box. /
n which they were packed In ice, an
a shipped by express to New York.
id The following is the report made b
as the bacteriologist:
ne Sample No. 1 is from the spigot
is Hollis restaurant.
Sample No. is from the spring.
II The Institute Of Chemistry, Patholoe
of and Bacteriology, Onlce and Lab
rs ratories, As East Forty-seeoI
II Street.
New York. Jan. II, 1900.
To the Evening Journal, Wllmingto
DEL:
a.. At your request, / have made ba
sl tericlogical examinations Of two saI
.e pies OF water received from you on n
nu m vember "a, 1899. Your request for
a. determination OF the nature OF all {
III bacteria found has made the underta
ir ne ing one Of no small proportion, al
@ @ie has entailed a large amount OF ca
'ue and labor. This task has been one
we little out OF the ordinary, as the usu
meteorological examination determin
but three features, namely: the pul
Der Of bacteria found in deeni
sht quantity Of water presence or absen
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