Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-09-12
WAR ON FEVER GERMS
SUGGESTIONS FOR PURIFICATIoN
OF DRINKING WATER
Board of Education to Take Steps for
Protection Of School
Children.

means for sterilizing the water to be used
by the children of the Washington public
schools is causing no little uneasiness in
the minds OF the members Of the board of
education and other interested District
officials at the present time.
The public schools will be opened with
In week. and after that time approx
mately $4,000 children and youths Of the
national capital. in addition to the teach
ers will be obliged to depend a greater
part of each day upon the hydrants In the
various schools for their drinking water.
This water in practically every instance
comes from the District reservoirs. which
are supplied from the Potomac river, and
many hundreds of gallons of water are
consumed by the school children each
day In the opinion OF many officials and
residents of Washington in each gallon
OF this Potomac water numerous impious
and invisible typhoid fever germs are
lurking.
1t has been suggested that each school
building be equipped with sterilizer or
hitter. The expense connected with car
rylng into effect this suggestion, 1T Is
pointed out. is a strong objection to the
proposition. Other suggestions have been
made all of which. it is understood, will
be considered by the board of education
at its meeting tonight.
Health Officer Woodward, when ap-
preached by Star reporter with regard
to this matter today, stated that he would
nave TO discuss the matter with the men,
bers or the board of education before
recommending course to be pursued
me situation confronting the authorities
the health officer considers as an emer-
sehcy situation. and whatever is done
ne believes should be done promptly, as
tnere Is but little time in which to pro-
vide protection for the school children
Sterilizers Discussed.
While DIR. Woodward was dtscusstn,
the subject with the reporter former Sur
seon General Forward of the United
states army. retired, entered the health
once Col. Forward and DR.. Woodward
mentioned sterilizer now used by the
amy ior nltering water in the field Tbev
ai 10 discussed the Pasteur filter
t nc sterlilzer used by the army boils the
mater automatically and has been found
very satisfactory The Pastsnr i,.au :,
was stated is an arrangement which forces
me water through porcelain tubes and re-.
stoniI; me oirt ana germs. Both of these
oteI itZos IN the opinion of Dr. Woodward
and Col Forward. have proved very sails
factory. ' 'a'iS-
Inquiry at the War Department develo,ad
80 &C. thdt the sterilizers used by the
10 school buildings in the District II would
COST ppfoXimately $4,000 to euuip each
Duildlng with one of these appliances. The
porcelain filter, 1t was stated costs les
IMAM the other sterilizer mentioned hut -
was believed that at least $4,000 wouId hs
required to equip all the schools In the Dis
trlct with that filter.
Superintendent A. T. Smart oys+ha Wi,
nc schools stated to a Star reporter that
the board of education has not the f,,n4
Necessary 10 purchase these individual ster-
inzers for the public schools He Thought
tllat there would be considerable obiecfion
10 such proposition from the fact that the
ne" nltration plant will soon be put into
OPP operation. and the outlay Of $4,000 or $12.-
IL,
miSht De considered unjustiied
Believes Action is Necessary.
superintendent Stuart, however. was OF
the opinion that something should be don.
10 protect the school children from possible
infection with typhoid germs. and he sus-
sested that the authorities might decide to
equip each school building with a small
stove and receptacles for boiling and con-
tanning Inferred water. and reduce the con-
sumption OF drinking water by the chill.
oren to a minimum quantity
Mr.. Stuart also suggested that the school
children might bring their own drinking
water to school with them in small can.
teens. $500
II was stated that the school authorities
Will probably be obliged to draw on the
emergency fund of the District for what
ever tunds are necessary to provide filtered
water FOR the school children. This fund
IL believed. Is not sufficient to equip the
schools with individual filters and that
plan seems not advisable
The board OF education at its meeting to-
night will probably take some action look
ing toward solution of the problem
Use Of Copper sulphate.
The proposition that copper sulphate be
used In the drinking water of the Distric,
DIES not seem to meet with approval. One
resident has written to Health Officer
woodward to the effect that he does NOT
care FOR any copper sulphate In his drink
Ing water. and he is opposed to treating
the District reservoirs with copper He
states that he has no objection to the indi-
vlouaI citizen using copper sulphate as a
beverage IL they have an appetite for such
drink. but as for him he will take his
water straight" 800
The prevalence of typhoid fever In the
District at this time is not yet considered BY
me health authorities as alarming. but they
rSiterate the Injunction to boil the water :
There has been an increase within the ma At
Few days In the number of new typhoid
Iever cases reported. but the number L.
not taken as an indication that the dlsea SO
Is epidemic in the District