Evening star., 1902-08-12
TYPHO|D|S PREVALENT
Cases Under Treatment in
the District Number l94.
LOOKING FOR CAUSE
HEALTH AUTHORITIES SAY
WATER SHOULD BE BOILED.
Completion of the District Filtration
Plant Anxiously Awaited
Will Bring Relief.


phoid fever are under treatment in the Dis
trict of Columbia, according to the latest
reports made today to the health depart
ment. This is an unusually large number
OF cases and is in excess of the totals at
tained at this time of the year for many
years past Just how great this excess is
cannot be definitely known, for 1t was not
until this year that the health officer sue
ceeded in securing the passage of the bill
which requires all physicians to report i'm
mediately the number of typhoid cases un-
der their care. The new law was passed in
February last and was soon put in opera
ton The object of the measure was to
keep the health department in touch with
all typhoid cases and thus enable the au-
thorities to ascertain, If possible, the source
OF the disease in each instance
The authorities have investigated each
case as carefully possible, with the Ia
clities at hand. They have been unable to
arrive at any other conclusion than that
Potomac water is the responsible factor
The drinking of Potomac water is the only
condition common to ell the patients. The
disease Is not localized in any degree what
scever. No two cases are reported In the same
vicinity, while the range reaches from Ana
costa to Chevy Chase, from Benning to
Georgetown. The patients are residents of
all classes of houses, thus eliminating from
the question any local COnQlllollS DIS 10
sewage, plumbing etc.
There has been some talk to the effect
that much of the typhoid is due to infected
milk. The health department has taken
stringent measures to learn whether or not
this is true. So far they have been unable
to attribute the prevalence of the disease to
the source mentioned and do not believe
milk enters into the problem.
Unsatisfactory Means Of Comparison.
On account Of the large number of cases
now in the District 1t is quite vexing to the
authorities not to be able to determine the
extent of the epidemic as compared with
past years. There is no way Of approxi-
mating the number of cases under treat
ment last year, and the years preceding ex-
cept through a study Of the death reports.
This means of information is not at all
reliable on account of the varying per-
centage of deaths from typhoid.
Therefore the best comparison obtainable
at this time lies in the fact that for twenty
two years past-up to and including 1901
the average number of deaths from typhoid
in the District in the month Of July has
been 1913, whereas in July Of this year 81
deaths from the fever were reported Dur
ing the first week of the present month
there were eleven deaths. The number Of
deaths and the number of cases increase
during August and September, and usually
reach their highest point in October. There
IS always a great slump in November For
the past twenty-five years August has
shown an average of 21.4 deaths; Septem-
Der, 22.3 deaths; October, 23.3 deaths, and
November, II deaths. Against the II
deaths of the first week in August this
year there were but four last year. The
week ending July % this year there were
deaths and a similar number last year.
The week ending July 10 this year there
were Z deaths, while for the corresponding
week of last year there We're but 2 deaths
COincident with the increase in the num-
Der of typhoid fever cases there Is quite a
decrease noticeable in diphtheria and scar
let fever. There are but four cases Of diph-
iberia in the city and but IL cases Of scarlet
fever, whereas for years past the average
has been much in excess Of this. There Is
a good deal of whooping cough among the
children, according to the daily reports.
Cases Widely Scattered.
Taking advantage of the opportunity af-
forded by the reporting of cases under the
new law, the health authorities have en-
deavored to locate any general source from
which the typhoid might have sprung. The
wide separation Of the many cases has pre-
vented them from localizing any source
and has led to the conclusion arrived at in
regard to Potomac water. The authorities
have made special inquiry in each case as
to all the circumstances surrounding the
origin Of the Illness. They have inquired
as to the milk supply. The datryman in
each case Is noted in order that any SUBJ
sequent cases among his customers might
be charged up to him. If the milk were
the source Of the disease it would In this
way be made evident, the authorities be-
lieve, but SO far this summer they have
not had sufficient cause for an investga-
tion. Last year two Investigations into
milk supplies were made, and in one in
stance it was found that typhoid might
have found its way into the lacteal fluid
on account Of the presence Of the disease
on the dairy farm. DR.. w. G. Woodward
the health officer, does not believe that
milk has anything to do with the present
outbreak.
To ward against typhoid DR.. Woodward
recommends the boiling or filterng of all
water. The authorities are looking forward
to the completion Of the filtration plant
with enthusiastic interest, for it is believed
casional occurrence. The filtration of the
water practically removes all the impurities
With a crystal pure water supply, such as
Washington is soon to have after many
chance to flourish and may be effectualiy
stamped out.
Treatment Of Disease.
An unusually large number Of typhoid
patients are being treated this year at the
hospitals. There the facilities for handling
the cases are the very best. According to
the modern system of treatment mini
mum of medicine is employed In fact
some patients have been brought through
the disease without the use of a single
drug. The treatment Is technically known
as "expectant treatment" Under this sys-
tenn the physician simply watches the pa
tient very closely while the fever is run
ming It's course, and waits for the various
attending symptoms to develop and display
themselves. If the fever scars the patient
Is treated to a series of baths If other
untoward symptoms assert themselves they
are treated individually.
The principal care is taken in the food, a
scientific diet being ordered in practically
every case. One Of the most important
factors in the treatment OF typhoid is to
get the patient into bed at the earliest pos
sfble moment, DR.. Woodward said today
in speaking Of the disease. A great many
people suffer serious consequences from
their reluctance to give In to disease They
walk around with every indication Of the
fever upon them, and will not take to their
bed or send for a physician until finally
| compelled to. The course Of the disease is
| usually from four to six weeks. The pc
riod Of convalescence Is quite long one.
| as typhoid usually leaves the patient very
weak.
The health authorities are not at all
alarmed over the prevalence Of the disease.
| 1t Is always looked for at this season, and
| varies In extent each year.