Evening journal., 1902-11-29
EPIDEMICS OF
TYPHOID FEVER.
Doctors AT the State Labora-
tory Tell Of Danger Lurk-
ling In Milk and Water
NUMBER OF ANTHRAX CASES
Specimens When Sent to the lnstitu.
7 ENZNF...1sf .'
1szsaHrN
opTed dUInB

The quarterly bulletin issued by the
Pathological and meteorological Labo-
ratory of the Delaware State Board OF
Health, is filed with interesting mat
ter.
Relative to typhoid fever It has this
to say:
Local epidomics Of typhoid fever
have recently occurred In Newark,
near the p. b. & w. station, and in
Georgetown. The laboratory proved Of
great aid to the physicians In charge
by establishing the correct diagnosis in
obscure cases and conforming the d.
agnosis In suspected cases. AS is gen.
orally the case, the epidemics origi-
mated from polluted surface water
which gained access TO the shallow
wells
Cities we'll supplied with water from
a reservoir, especially a filter reservoir,
which possess modern sewage sys-
tom, and I'm which waterclosets are
universal, derive typhoid fever only
from the following sources: Contami-
mated country milk, the return of peo-
pie In the autumn from the less sani-
tary country, and lack OF care in the
disposal Of the discharges of persons
who have contracted typhoid fever
from either OF the first two sources.
Danger In Wells
"In the country, however, conditions
are different. Each country house or
each house in small village has its
own water supply. usually in the shape
OF WE'LL the cattle get water from the
streams; there are no waterclosets,
and eXcreta are deposited in the open
or In box privlos; drainage from these
box privies or from the open deposits
who have contracted typhoid fever
germs may enter tho streams. be car
ried for some distance and be taken
into the stomachs Of cattle all along
the course Of the stream, OF the germs
may be carried by the underground
drainage directly into the wells from
which drinking water is gained: or, ex-
Tosed as these box privies or open de-
posits are. certain flies may allght upon
the excrement and carry the germs di-
rectly to the food supply of the houses5
or certain flies may breed in this ex-
crement and fly fairly reeking with
disease-bearing filth, to the kitchen
and tables of nearby houses. When we
consider that active typhoid germs
may be given out for some time by per-
sens who have not developed typhoid
fever sufficiently so that It may be rec
ogrized, and that they may also be
given out for some time after patients
have been apparently cured OF the dis
case, IL is perfectly obvious that In the
country the lack Of care with which
eycreta are deposited readily accounts
Tor outbreaks Of typhoid fever from
any Of the causes mentioned.
Cases Of Anthrax
"A number Of cases Of anthrax In
I cattle occurred near Delaware City and
Chrlstiana. The aid OF the laboratory
I was sought by the veterinarians. who
were anxious to have their suspicious
n confirmed. "a positive bacteriological
diagnosis was established in all cases
4 Of anthrax. thus leading to a proper
Il disposal Of the carcasses and prevent-
. i've treatment of the remaining herds.
o. While on the subject Of anthrax, we
Z would like TO impress upon the persons
who submit specimens (elrs) for ex-
4 animation that anthrax is dangerous
\ alike 10 man and beast, and that all
precautions should be taken in hand
ling the specimens to avoid infection.
, The specimens should be carefully
placed In glass Jars with tightly fitting
covens. extra care being taken that IL
does not come in contact with the out
. side of the jar. Specimens should be
sent by express (prepaid) directly to
the Delaware State Board Of Health
Laboratory. and not to the Experiment
e Station or any of its officials.