The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-02-02
PURER WATER
SUPPLY URGED
State Health Board Starts a
Campaign of Reform.
CAUSE OF TYPHOID FEVER
EFFECTIVENESS OF DIPHTHE-
RIA CULTURE TUBES.
CAUSE OF TYPHOID FEVER

The urgency of providing every mu-
nicipality in Utah that is not already
served with pure supply of water for
domestic purposes. with good water.
was leading topic Of discussion at
the quarterly meeting of the state
board of health, held yesterday. That
something tangible in this direction
may be accomplished in those cities
and towns where better water than
is now supplied is available, the mem
bers Of the board are not without hope.
In the belief that it is the boards duty
TO exert itself on the lines recon-
mended, the attorney general will be
consulted to determine what powers
the health authorities have further
than those which are advisory.
In the recent inquiry by the state
board, which sent out cards for data
as to the prevalence of typhoid fever
from sources of drinking water and as
TO the feasibility OF procuring purer
supplies. the fact was disclosed that a
large portion of the communities out
side OF Salt Lake use water from open
bitches or from surface wells. It has
long been established that the use Of
impure water is the cause Of a very
large percentage of typhoid fever. II
was also elected that a pure supply
of water is possible and practicable
to be obtained in nearly all of the
localities reporting by tapping springs
and mountain streams near their
sources and piping the flow to the
cities and towns.
Serious Public Question.
The members of the board were
agreed that there is very general need
for reform on these lines. The Ques-
ton of pure water supply for those
communities which are without it is
deemed most important, as it vitality
affects the public health. In fact, the
members believe there is no graver
question before the health authorities
of the state than the adjustment Of
the impure sources Of water supply and
the substitution of purere water where
it is available.
State Engineer DOTemus. who is a
member of the board, IS very much in
terested in the proposition and will do
all in his power to further the move
ment. Engineer Doremus and Secre-
taFy Beatty announced that they are
ready to meet and confer with any
local authorities who desire to take up
the question for solution in their re-
spective communities.
It is the intention of the state board
to send out to the various municipal
uAAkol itAC0f u s5t'A5 t4ACAh ~ 7ANN III
subject of purer water supply for their
towns serious considera ton and TO
| take such action as may be required.
The board hopes that this matter will
receive the earnest and immediate con-
sideTatiOn it deserves, for it is be-
| lieved that the carrying out of the
recommendations will nave a very ma
| terial effect upon the health status OF
| the state.
Detecting Diphtheria Germs.
/ IN the matter of laboratory work on
| diphtheria germs, it was stated at the
meeting that the work is winning the
favor of the physicians Of the state
who send IN suspected germs in sealed
culture tubes for early determination
/ of the disease and consequent almost
| certain ability TO check its ravages.
Many tests have been made by means
/ of the culture tubes and not few
doubtful cases of diphtheria have been
thus cleared up. The tests are made
/ free of charge, and those physicians
who have not yet adopted the speedy
means of certain diagnosis are urged
/ to send to the state health boards sec
J rotary for culture tubes
The board is sending out bulletins
| on contagious diseases and suggestive
measures of disinfection and quaran-
! tine for the benefit of residents Of iso-
| lated towns.