The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1904-05-11
DR.. George 7. Moore Makes Sue
ces5ful Experiment in His
Washington Laboratory.
CAN PURIFY BAD WATER
Department of Agriculture Tells
How Discovery May Be
Utilized.
OF UTMOST IMPORTANCE
Means Much for Cities Threatened
with Epidemics Of Dread
Disease

In a bulletin issued this week by the De-
partment of Agriculture. formally an
nouncng the discovery of a solution of
copper sulphate which will remove from
large reservoirs and bodies of water all i'm
purities, including the typhoid germ, Dr.
George T. Moore, formerly of Indianapolis,
has been brought into public as we'll as
scientific prominence as the discoverer of
this remarkable process. Successful ex-
periments with the solution have been per
formed by the department, and the bulle-
tin Just issued sets forth in full an account
of these experiments by DIR. Moore, who is
in charge of the laboratory of plant physi-
ology and Karl K Kellerman. assistant in
physiology in the office of vegetable.
pathological and physiological investiga-
ton.
The discovery is said to be of greatest
Importance, and if it proves to be all that is
claimed for it it will be a remarkable step
in science 1t is said that the solution will
destroy the life of the most tenacious
microbes without giving the least taint to
the water. Greatest hope is being placed
in the solution as a positive preventive of
typhoid fever, which hitherto has neve:
been defeated by any of the methods de-
vised by science.
The bulletin also states that in addition
to the use of the solution in reservoirs
containing water for domestic there are
possibilities for its application in treating
irrigated reservoirs; small pleasure lakes,
fish ponds oyster beds. etc. In conclu-
sion the bulletin says that IL believes the
experiments demonstrate the possibility of
the use of copper sulphate for the destruc-
ton or prevention of growths of algae in
water supplies and that when used under
the direction of competent authorities it is
the only practical remedy for this trouble
ever proposed capable CT universal applica-
ton.
The preface of the bulletin sets forth
clearly the remarkable results of the ex-
periments as follows:
'Dr. Moore and Mr.. Kellerman have
shown that IL is entirely practicable cheap
ly and quickly to destroy Objectionable
algae in small lakes, ponds, storage reser-
voirs, and other similar bodies of water by
the use of extremely dilute solutions of
copper sulphate or metallic copper. The
fact that these extremely dilute solutions
Zone to one hundred thousand) will also de-
stroy the most virulent typhoid and cholera
bacteria at ordinary temperatures in three
hours is of great Importance and signiti-
canoe. Solutions of copper much stronger
than this are not considered injurious to
man or other animals. The value of cop
per, especially colloidal. in preventing or
, treating typhoid and other related diseases
should be carefully investigated by compe-
tent pathologists."
Continuing further the bulletin states:
THE mode of application makes this
method applicable to reservoirs of all kinds,
pleasure ponds and lakes, fish ponds, oyster
beds, watercress beds, etc. 1t is also prob
able that the method can be used for the
destruction of mosquito larvae.
AT ordinary temperatures one part of
copper sulphate to 100000 parts of water
destroys typhoid and cholera germs in
from three to four hours. The ease with
which the sulphate can then be eliminated
from the water seems to offer practical
method of steriizing large bodies of water,
when this becomes necessary.
Definite knowledge in regard to what or
ganisms are present, the constitution of the
water, its temperature, and other important
facts are necessary before it is possible to
determine the proper amount of copper sui
phate TO be added. A microscopical exam
ination thus becomes as important as a bac-
teriologicai or chemical analysis.
mo rule for determining the amount of
copper sulphate to be added can be given.
Each body of water must be treated in the
light OF its special conditions.
1.-The cost of material for exterminating
algae will not exceed 80 to 60 cents per mil
lion gallons, and will usually be less. The
destruction of pathogenic bacteria requires
an expenditure of from S. TO S. per million
gallons. not including the cost of labor"
The method recommended by the Depart
mcnt of Agriculture to introduce the copper
into a water supply is extremely plain.
1t is:
place the required number of pounds of
copper sulphate in a coarse bag-gunEy
sack or some equally loose mesh-and, at
taching this to the stern of rowboat near
the surface of the water, row slowly back
and forth over the reservoir on each trip
keeping the boat within ten to twenty feet
of the path of the one previous. In this
manner about 100 pounds of copper sulphate
can be distributed in one hour. BY increas-
ing the number of boats, and, in the case
of very deep reservoirs, hanging two or
three bags to each boat the treatment of
CONTINUED ON PAGE g. COL. 81