The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-08-22
GERMS IN WELLS.
Doctors In Topeka Trace Source
Of Typhoid.
Sixteen Out Of % Cases Attrfb-
uted to Well Water.
WHAT THEY NOW SAY.
Various Suggestions to Prevent
RaTages of the Disease.
One Doctor Says 1t T. Worse
Than Smallpox.

J. J. Hostutler. one Of the sanitary
officers has been making some investi-
cations of the typhoid fever situation in
Topeka. and in his report hIed with the
board OF health he gives this summary:
/ Number of physicians interviewed --- g.
Number now having cases .---.------l 10
NUMBER or cases now IN hands OF
PHYSICIANS =
There are about $50 registered ply
sieIans in Topeka but many OF these
are away on vacations. or are prac-
tically retired from active practice. and
maintain no Office So the investiga-
ton made covers the situation quite
fully.
The report shows that sixteen of the
cases now IN the city were caused by
drinking well water Two were caused.
supposedly, by city hydrant water. In
the other cases. the doctors do not ven
ture a guess as to the cause Four OF
the cases reported were probably i'm
ported" as the patients had just ar
rived IN town.
The suggestions made by the various
physicians in regard to the situation
in Topeka are interesting. They ap-
pear II the report as follows:
used at 7zs and 732 Hancock street. and
other wells in that community. think
the well is infected
DR.. Geo Mu1vane-I think Ii would be
we'll to examine all wells, and especially
the so-caIIed mineral wells the water
city.
Dr. s. A. Johnson-Every open well
ought to be closed
DR. H H Kieth-AIake all possible
haste to clean all vaults and connect
with sewer Also clean all alleys or
everything unsanitary-
Dr. S. G. Stewart-Any well in the
city, subject to drainage, should be
condemned and closed
DR.. J. .. Freeman, Santa F'e hospital
Boil all water used Of whatever kind
Dr. L. H Munn-Shut up the wells
DR. / A. Shields-Boil all water and
make all possible connection with
sewers.
DR. r. z Massey believe that in
19 out Of every 20 cases the germs in
the water are the cause Of the sickness.
Boil all water before using
DR. s f. Ayres-PeFfect sewerage IS
needed, and a city chemist to examine
all suspected water.
DR.. J. Waeks-PrOper sanitation
along all possible lines.
DR. c. ". Mnler-Provide a city
chemist and have him examine all weI1s
where cases are found, also the city
water The building Of land near the
Kaw river bridge should be stopped.
and the refuse which is there should be
burned
vegetation and bad water produce
typhoid fever. I think it is contagious,
more dangerous than smah pox or
scarlet fever. and harder to manage
Ought to have some way to purify city
DR. J. c. Isernan-Weu and cistern
water # used should be boiled
Miss Jessie Cdnnum, superintendent
of St0rmont hospital-Don't use well
water Almost every case I have IS
traceabIe to the use Of well water.
DR.. W. A Wehe-The west end OF
Topeka would be benefited by a large
sewer extending from Washbul-n col
lege to the river. taking III AL IN
drained parts Of Throop's addition.
Mulvane's addition, John NortoEIs ad-
dition, Lownan Hill. Tennesseat
Martins addition, Horne's addit1 On-in
fact all Of the west end Of Topeka, not
already drained Make this sewer
ample to take the surface water as
we'll as sewage Would be great saw
ing to the people. and is much ne eded-
Garbage should be a. little better Scared
for With the sewer the liquids seOuld
be drained away and the solids. dried
and burned. Take some steps by which
the water company would have wells
with an ample water supply to cover
an emergency like the one this sum-
mer.