Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1903-12-10
Buffers ScOurge.

The epidemic of typhoid that this
town is now enduring will go down
into the medical history of the state and
nation as one of the most remarkable
that has, as yet. occurred IN the coun-
try; and the source of the contagion, OF
reason for the epidemic, should be as
certained as definitely as possible so as
to be part of that history. and warn
ing to future generations
The local and state boards of health
fixed upon the cases on the hillside
overlooking the new, or Thorn Run,
dam as the source; but there seems to
be difference OF opinion about 1t. as
some of our people think that the water
that did the damage was that pumped
up directly from the creek, near the
power house, Immediately or shortly
after the food Of August 2sth, last,
which swept away the dam at Boyds-
town, and left the creek below full OF
sediment from ii Besides this, there
may have been some cases OF typnoin
in the watershed of the old dam at
that time, as there are now, ano' 10
make the report valuable, conditions
for several months preceding the out
break here should be inquired into.
Since Nov. 1st. or during the time OF
about six weeks, about twelve hundred
cases Of typhoid have developed in But
ler, and about forty people have died OF
it.
A theatrical troupe that was here dur
ing the week beginning September 14th,
consisted of twelve people. ten OF whom
are said TO have gone down with fever,
with two deaths There il no doubt
but that the water was the cause OF it;
and the state board also warns people
as to their milk supply.
About ten thousand dollars have al
ready been expended on relief, hospitals
and nurses. and several times that
amount will be needed before all the
sick are cared for.
But few new cases are being reported.
but the old cases will probably linger
for six weeks, yet, and be constant
charge.
And ia this connection we would sug-
gest that the Association offer relief to
everybody, as the financial condition OF
those in distress is known only to them
selves No family should be allowed to
eat the roof that shelters them.
Some very nice subscriptions or do
nations have lately been received The
Penn'a Z. x Co. sent $500; the town
OF Bradford, 81 800: Titusyille, S3OO.etc.
Earl Clinton gave up his hotel on Fair
ground avenue, and it was taken posses
sion Of by DIR. French and his corps OF
Philadelphia nurses, and transformed
into hospital.
: OF the state fund of $50, 900 but 81, 900
has, az yet, been used here, but more OF
it will probably be called for. The
ward committees continue to report
cases Of distress to the central commit
tee, who issue orders and pay the bills
when accom- panied by tine orders.
What can be done about 1t. Ii the
question: No typhoid germs have as
yet, been found in the water of the new
dam, and yet it wonld be well to drain.
lime and scrape it; then give the reser-
voir the same treatment. and follow
that by using lime water, sulphate OF
iron, carbolic acid or some other anti
septic In the pipes, and flushing them.
Another matter, and not very deli
cate one, is the treatment Of the excre-
ment OF typhoid patients. II should be
lined and buried in the country; and
the same is being done here before dis
posal In the sewers-but IL the people
OF Zelienople. Ellwood and other towns
on the creek below us are continuing
TO use the water Of the Connoquenes-
sing, they are fool-hardy
Additional subscriptions lately re-
ceived TO the relief fund are-B., X. &
p r. X. Co.. $500; Associated Produc-
ers Co, per Warren McCreary, superin-
tendent, $3.50; II. w. Oliver, Pittsburg,
$500; r. II. G. Of Butler si00, and sew
eral subscriptions Of 800, $50 and s25
each from wholesale firms In Pittsbnrg
and New York.
The ladies Of Butler will meet at 10
a. m. Friday in the Second Presbyterian
church ON the Diamond to organize for
work az auxiliary TO the Relief Com
mittee.