The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1902-04-11
Dr. E. \, ShoN Quotes Statistics
in Discussing Expert
Grays Report
PAPER GENERALLY ENDORSED
Water In Which Germs Were Found
Came From the Little cahaba
River-More Dangerous
In Summer.

DR.. e. II. Sholl, a prominent physician
of Birmingham endorses Special Engineer
Samuel L. Gray's report to the Jefferson
county Sanitary Com mission recommend
Ing that the water supplied the city by
the Birmingham Water Works Compa-
ny be filtered before being used for do
nestle purposes. In a card written by
him to The Age-Herald yesterday he
gives some interesting figures showing
how the percentage of typhoid fever
cases is lessened by alteration of the
water. DIR. Sholl says:
DIR. Anders of Philadelphia while dis
cussing the matter of slow sand filtration
for that city, so much afflicted by typhoid
fever from impure water supply quotes
the following statistics to show its great
value as sanitary measure:
For the 10 years prior to the application
Of filtration to the water supply of Ham
burg, Germany, the average anneal death
rate was 1877 per 100000 of population for
the six years since filtration was estab
lished the average death rate from the
disease has been 9 per 100000 and for
1898 per 100000. The mortality rate In
five European cities using slow sand fl
tration is as follows: Berlin s, Breslau 9,
Hamburg 9, Rotterdam 3 The Hague,
per 100000. Average per 100000 Cities
using unfiltered water show at times a
death rate of 100 to 100000 from typhoid
fever.
1.-THE estimated financial loss from this
fever In 1891 in Europe was more than
$40, 100000"
Report Generally Endorsed.
The report of Mr. Gray is generally en-
dorsed and his suggestions approved. Mr..
James Weatherly, one of the commission.
In speaking of the report yesterday, said:
"It is wise and timely, and l agree to
the report In full. The statements made
by Mr.. Gray will ultimately lead to the
carrying out of all his recommendations"
Mr. r. J. Smyer said: II think we'll of
his report. 1t shows careful preparation
and study and l think his suggestions
should be carried out"
Mr.. Robert Jamison said: THE report
is full and comprehensive. A meeting of
the commission will be held shortly to
discuss It when his suggestions will be
taken up and carefully considered"
Major Frank Y. Anderson, president of
the commission, was seen just as he was
leaving for his summer place at Valley
Head, where he had been called by ILL
ness In his family. II have not time to
discuss 1t in detail" he said. but
think it a very able report. 1t shows
oF,,J
examination into the conditions affecting
the water supply of the CITY,"
Mr. Arthur w. Smith and others of the
commission expressed themselves as be-
ing satisfied with the report.
Will Not Discuss 1t.
A resolution was adopted by the COM
mission at its meeting Wednesday night
to send the Birmingham Water Works
Company copy of the report. This had
not been received by them on yesterday
and the officials of the company declined
to discuss the matter or make any state
ment. Superintendent George Ryer and
Secretary j. F. Graham both stated that
the company would not discuss the mat
ter at the present time
drink water to know that the germs or
bacteria found In 1t by the chemical
analysis made by the government at
Washington, end on which Mr.. Gray
tases his re ,ommendationz, come from
the little Cahaha river. The big Cahaba,
which is not go very big after all, and |
which slmost goes dry In summer, runs |
through a thiclly woe ded and almost de- |
populated water shed, and the water |
from this river was found to be pure |
and free FROM gern.5. The little Cahaba
river, on the contrary, runs through
mere level and fertile water shed, and
consequently one that is well populated.
1t is from this stream into whose waters
orimal natter of various kinds is washed
by raias that the bacteria come.
Danger in Summer.
7 here Is a dam just below the juncture
CT the two Cahabas which in dry seasons
holds back sufficient supply for the dry
season. During thu winter when the big
Cahab; is fun 1t alcne furnished an am
pie supply and the water is taken from
this stcsam by an intake which is little
way above the dam. The water from the
little Cababa, when full, flows over the |
dam and carries away most II not all of |
the germs brought down by that stream. |
In the summer tine, however, when the /
big Cahsba runs dry the water from the
little Cahaba IL backed UP by the dam to |
tho place where the intake pipe Is, and
thus 1t is pumped into the city, germs and
all. The water analyzed by the govern
ment was taken from the different points
in January at tina when there was less
danger OF 1t being contaminated by the
little Cahaba. In summer the water is
much worse. and practically all supplied
to Birmingham comes from the little Ca
haba.
The water supplied North Birmingham
and the Northside from Five Mile creek |
is also Il und to contain bac. eria and the |
water shed of this creek is also well pop
ulated and the water on that account |
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