Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-11-22
Parkersburg Authorities Do
Good Work In Combating
a Threatened Epidemic
NINE CASES OF THE DISEASE
Water From tho City Water Works
Found TO be Healthy and Origin
of tho Fever Thought to be From
tho Shallow Private Whatsoever
System 10 Needed.
Special to Times- Republican.

Special to Times Republican.
Parkersburg, Nov. notwithstanding
has recently been threatened with an
epidemic of typhoid fever. There have
been nine cases of typhoid fever, one OF
which was fatal. There are no dan
gerous cases at the present time ex-
cept that of Mrs. Leslie Sharp who
has had relapse. The health officers
Of the town have made strenuous eff
forts to locate the cause Of the disease.
DR.. A. o. Strout, health physician for
the town. has had the water from the
wells and the city mains tested by the
state board, and is in receipt of the
following interesting letter:
"Dr. A. o. Strout, Health Officer,
Parkersburg, Iowa-Dear Sir: In re-
Spouse to your request went to your
city on the End inst. and made an
investigation of the conditions con-
cerned with the outbreak Of typhoid
fever at that place. and beg leave to
SuUIIIil Liz lOllOWlIB TGDOIls
with your assistance made thor
ough investigation Of the sanitary con-
ditions of the city and learned that
the greater part Of the city is supplied
with city water. the people In the re-
mainder using water from shallow
wells. most of which are so situated as
to render them liable to contamina-
yp,tfh Jrni Yn ryn n1u
learned that there have recently been
nine cases of typhoid fever in your
city--all of which, with the exception
of one case occurred in one neighbor-
hood. six In one family and one In an
other. All of these cases have been US
ing water from shallow wells.
1.-THE city has no sewer system. Sam
pies Of water were collected from two
wells belonging to families in which
typhoid existed. from the city water
taken from both the pumping station
tap and the tap in DR.. Strout's Office.
These samples were collected in the
morning. packed in Ice, and Immediate
ly taken to Iowa City, where they re-
ceived thorough archaeological ex-
animation In the state board of health
laboratory. The result OF the exam
ination is as follows: a.. Samples
of water taken from wells where ty
phoid existed Both contained about
100 bacteria per cubic centimeter--
neither typhoid nor colon baccilli were
found. ca. City water taken from
the two places mentioned, contained an
average Of 35 bacteria per cubic cent?
,meter-neither typhoid nor colon bac-
iii were found.
From investigation and examine
lions made, draw the following con-
clusions: ~. The source Of the out
break of typhoid cannot be definitely
traced. (2). That neither typhoid or
colon bacilli were present in the wat
err at the time when the samples were
taken. (3). That the source Of the
typhoid fever was apparently local and
not due to the use Of the city water.
(4). That at the present time the water
which was examined is good for drink
ing and other domestic purposes.
I'm view Of the investigation and the
examinations made, offer the follow
ing recommendations: ~. That the
city water should be extended to all
parts Of the city. ca. That the use OF
water from shallow wells should be
discontinued since they are liable to
become contaminated at any time. (3).
That the streets and alleys should be
kept in a more clearly and sanitary
condition. az. That the city should