Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1903-09-04
THE PREVALENT DISEASE

The spread Of typhoid fever Us rais-
ing some alarm and much discussion
"a ia Its cause. The present medlcal
theory, supposed 10 be authenticated
nv chemical analysis aud bacterial ex'
animation. ls that the disease Is trace
able to innnltesimal microbes usually
lurking IN impure water. by the term
impure is not meant any faint per-
ceptible to sight, taste on scent but the
presence Of organic matter In 'ater
that may be clear and tasieless, spar
king and cold. The germs cannot be
discovered except by the tests known
TO science.
In the present instance this theory
does not appear to be sound. in COM
menting upon conditions here, 1t mas
been argued that the cause OF the prev
nlence Of typhoid was water from flow
ing wells, because in twenty-sx cases
out OF seyenty-nve, the water used was
from those sources. The reasoning
was unsound because, In the other for
ty-nlne cases city water was In use
and not fluid from flowing wells, ana
the city water had been pronounced
innocuous The most recent analysis
OF the waters Of Parley's and city
creeks establishes their purity and dis
proves the notion that the fever arises
from their use.
A rumor was started that there had
-.
been a recent case Of typhoid at the
Roach farm, away up Parley's canyon
beyond the city limits, and the conclu-
sion was leaped at that this had pol
luted the stream and hence the cpl
dcmic," But inquiry proves the story
10 be untrue, and further, II Is certain
that In a number of cases the patSE,s
have not used the water from Parleys
creek, while hosts Of people who are
supplied from II have shown no symp-
toms OF the disease. The penitentiary
is wholly supplied from that source,
and We have heard Of no typhoid at
THAI establishment.
Boiling all water for domestic use
may be good precaution, The iiow-
ing wells may give forth many Inn
purities, and we believe they contain
more organic matter as a rule than do
the streams that are In use by the pub
lie. But It IS evident to careful rea-
soners and observers that the water
theory does not hold good in the pres
ent distress. Critical investigation may
dicclose the fact that the milk supply
Is not all that II should be, although
II is not fair to jump at this as a GER
tainty. It would be wise 10 look to
other probable sources to discover
where the evil turks.
The action OF the city Council, on the
suggestion OF Health officer Stewart, is
commendable, in view OF the situation.
Complaints have been frequent that
garbage has been allowed to remain for
many days after collection without be-
Ing removed. by increasing the NUM-
Der OF garbage wagons and workmen
the decaying matter can be oarted
away and II ought TO be consumed A
general cleanup 81 thu city Is es-
sential to the public health. All
nth ought to be effectually
disposed OF without delay, and the san.
itary work must be kept up. Now Is
the time when the weather heat fer.
ments vegetable and animal matter lef
on the surface Of the ground. Fruit
drops from the trees and rots; refus,
Is thrown out and decays; excreta ar,
not properly disposed Of; sinks are al
lowed TO remain unclean and wlthou
distinction, ventilation is not mad,
thorough; sufficient cleanliness Is no
observed in the washing OF fruit an(
vegetables before they are eaten faint
ed meat Is cooked up disguised viii
some hayorng expedient and served TO
food; numerous sources Of disease es
cape attention and so the atmosnher,
becomes impregnated with noxlou
germs which are carried hther an,
thither, and when they find congenia
environments, they multiply with mar
velous rapidly aud crop out into var
lous forms Of disease according TO thei
kind.
This season seems TO be just wha
typhoid germs require for their devel
opment, They are professionally sup
posed to enter the human system onl.
by way OF food or drink They ma,
find their way by other means. in spit
OF the present theory The safest wa,
20 avoid them Is TO establish thorough
sanitation. observe the regulations Is
sued by the Board OF Health; keep n
cleanliness Of home and person; do no
inhaie the breath OF a patient by kiss
ing or otherwise dislnfect everythin
that comes from the afflicted; do CIV
erything possible TO keep flies ava
from food do not. oyertaX the syster
30 that II becomes enfeebled and thu
"a an easy prey 20 disease germs; kee
up n cheerful spirit end do not exag
geYoto danger or submit 10 tho epI
demic OF alarm; he tenperata IN al
thlngs nsht symptoms OF sickness an
imaginary >-oublas with faith and res
olutlon, and anticipate tho speedy pass
ing OF the heated term OF fever and do
bllty, and the evil win soon disappear