New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-09-24
CONTAMINATION FROM ICE.

The experiments of Dr. A. Campbeu White
reported at length by that eminent scientist
IN an interesting and instructive contribution TO
that sterling authority THE Medical Record" have
demonstrated the ability of typhoid anthrax and
diphtheria bacili to survive the extreme cold of
liquid air. which is 344 degrees (F'ahrenheit lower
than the temperature Of ice; is reported that
Sir James Dewar. the famous chemist obtained
practically the same results, later in his expert
ments with liquid hydrogen. which is 1872 (Fr) de-
grees lower than the temperature at which water
freezes
Hermann A schaIk an expert who has had
extended experience in the production of
hygienic artificial. ice adds the results Of his
practical researches those of the distinguished
savants quoted He says:
"Au water contains certain quantity Of bac-
uraI Ice is necessarily impure The ice used in Der
lin which is obtained from the lakes in the vicinity.
germs the cubic centmeter.
the ice used in Turin contained from 12O to S.546
germs per cubic centiolAter
and so we go on using that harvested from lakes,
ponds and streams. while from the water of these.
If offered for drinking purposes, we would turn
away in disgust Besides, the ice from these
6e has m % W have an ey
smell; and you know how readily milk, meat and
Croton water is pretty good, as natural water
supplies go. but j! should not be drunk unfltered
from water from which disease germs have not
market comes from the Hudson and the waters
of that river are contaminated. dangerously so,
have time and again found in tests in our
Careful examinations have also been made by
others in regard to New-York ice. professor
Prudden, on bacteria in ice and their relation to
disease, with special reference to the ice supply
3H) The NewYork ice contains considerable
quantity of bacteria, which, however, varies ac-
cording to the place from where the Ice is taken.
Ice from the. Hudson. which is contemplated by
below that city. contained 29S germs per cubic
microbes in the so-caled snow Ice i. e.. the white
ice which is full Of air bubbles. while at dis
transparent ice contained only 1s9. and the snow
ice 1888 germs per centimeter
legitimately brought against the natural; the
drastic treatment the water receives absolutely
up-to-date butchers use 1t, and cannot be induced
to use any other"
HYGIENIC OR ARTIFICIAL ICE
Mr.. schalk Is the vice-president Of the Con-
tineptal Ice Company. the recognized distributor Of
the Jacob Rupert Ice Plant and by far the largest
handler OF it's output OF s25 tons day. There are
really two plants-one. at Ruppert's Brewery. on
Sd-ave. and s2d-st, turns out 226 tons. while the
other described by 'Tce and Refrigeration" as 'ths
biggest ice plant in the world at SIS East 1Ssd-st
has capacity OF 1000 tons q day.
The latter said TO have cost over a million dol
lars, is O marvellous product OF American enter
prise and a monument to Mr. Ruppsrts courage
ton than can be accorded It here. but some little
space must, psrfSroS BE- given a,1 to II that due
may be had.
THD GREAT ICE PLANT.
The great building may be seen by whoever
crosses tho Harlem River In a sd-ave. 'Ii' train
and may easily be Identified by it's lofty smoke
stack, the highest In Greater New-York. save one.
II is five-story steel and cast Iron cage eonstruc-
on about 200 feet square. enclosed in massive brick