The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1903-10-28
IS TYPHOID EPIDEMIC
ALL-IMPORTANT QUESTION
Commission Appointed by the State
Board of Health Investigate
the Proposition.

DR.. f. E. Heg, secretary of the state
board of health, DIR. j. NJ Ford of the
marine corps and DIR. J. NJ. Semple of
Spokane, arrived here Friday to investi-
gate the reports of an epidemic of ty-
phoid fever, arrive at the causes thereof
and report to the state board. The
gentlemen spent several days in look
ing over conditions and arrived at the
conclusion that typhoid existed here to
Il large extent, due mainly to unsani-
tary conditions and the fact that proper
precautions were not taken in disinfect-
ing the eXcrement of sufferers from the
disease. 1t was also found that the
city water was not contaminated.
The gentlemen came here at the re-
quest of certain local physicians to set
tie divergence of opinion among the
medical fraternity, it being claimed by
some that the fever in most cases was
of the malarial type. and not typhoid
tend that it is typical typhoid. Just
what effect the decision of the COM
mission of doctors will have in clearing
the atmosphere is not at all plain, but
if it results in better sanitary methods.
none can complain of their visit.
Prof. Roberts, sanitary inspector of
the state board and one of the faculty
of the state agricultural college, made a
thorough analysis of the city water
and in conjunction with the other gem
tlemen making the investigation, stated
in effect that the water was as good and
pure as that of any other city in the
northwest. With this assurance, if ac-
ton is to be taken to restore the sani-
tary equilibrium of the city, a large
element that has borne the brunt of
blame for conditions will be taken en-
tirely from consideration.
From the standpoint of layman, not
supposed to be versed in germ theories
and other causes of disease, it is almost
impossible to form rational opinion
in the face of so much testimony. pro
ana con- advanced by eminent authori-
ties on both sides of the question. That
there are numerous cases of some kind
of fever here is patent. and it doubtless
will result benefcially if stringent
measures are adopted to eradicate it.
One thing is very apparent, however,
the disease is not by any menas con-
favA to the city, and of eight funerals
chroniced in the Herald last week as
the total number buried by the local
undertakes for the previous eight days,
Two cases We're from Yakima City,
caused by diphtheria; one from Wenas,
probably the effect of old age; two from
Cowiche, admittedly fever; one from
Wide Hollow of female troubles and one
from California, caused by consump-
ton
The mortuary record since our last
report shows up to the present writing
Tuesday EVENING" seven deaths, in
Guiding that of an Indian on the reser-
walton, two on the Ahtanum from diph
iberia, one of which was caused by a
runaway accident and one from diph-
iberia, one at Yakima City from old age,
one on the Cowiche (cause not stately
one from the Mckee who died at the
hospital from fever, and another from
case of typhoid contracted in Seattle
and brought home for treatment.
Other evidence might be adduced to
create doubt as to the entire correctness
of the report of the commission, but no
good could result therefrom. Reports
have gone abroad giving this city a.
black eye from a health standpoint and
no matter how little we are deserving
of the charge, the fact stands out in the
limelight that drastic measures must
be taken to overcome the outside inn
preston.
If it will bring about the desired san
itary improvement, the Herald, though
reluctantly, will admit, for the sake of
argument, that every man, woman and
child within the confines of this corpo-
ration is infected, but let the Augean
stables be cleaned at once. When the
work is finally accomplished to the sat
isfaction of the state health board we
can then all take hand in putting a