The Washington times., 1905-08-22

It has also been established beyond
question that malariaI fever is caused
and transmitted by the mosquito Ano-
phele. and that in the absence Of that
mosquito there is no malaria. The old
theory that malaria was caused by
miasm, night air, etc, is exploded.
II has also been established by actual
Ecientfuc proof that typhoid fever and
olher germ diseases are carried and
disseminated by the common house fly.
1t has not, as in the case of the mos
quito. been shown or claimed as yet.
that the typhoid fever is caused by
the bite Of the fly. although the typhoid
fever germ, bacillus typhosus, has ac-
tually been found in the stomach and
inteStines and excreta of the hy and
tt is quite possible that bite from an
infected fly may cause the disease. But
It has been clearly and satisfa ctoriIy
proven that the germs of typhoid are
carried by the fly, mechanically, upon
the feet and wings from the sick room
or dejecta of patient to the food of
healthy persons. thus causing the dis
Wherever there Is possibility of con-
tact between the house hv. the dejecta
@9f a fever patient, and the food supply
the conditions are favorable for the dis
ssenination of the disease. These con
'ditlons exist all over this city Ger
ta1nly. If the germ theory IS correct. and
typhoid fever is caused by the mjec-
ton into the human system of the
bacillus through the medium Of food and
drink. then it does not need a very
scientific or astute mind TO reason that
a ny wading through the 5aciiIus-laden
dejecta of a typhoid patient one minute
and dropping into q pitcher of milk the
next. must necessarily transfer the
bacillus TO the milk
But we do not nave to trust to our
Own reasoning or common sense in this
matter or the fact has been Fepea tedly
cenonstrat ted scientifically that the 6y
does transfer the bacillus of typhoid.
cholera, anthrax, dfpht heria, tubercu-
IUsis. etc, from the sputum or dejecta
or the patient to the fcod and drink
and thus spread the disease to healthy
persons
Anything coming from The sick room
and left for moment unprotected from
flies is liable 10 furnish the material by
which the disease may be carried 70
others, even at a distance. An apple in
thc lunch basket Of Il school girl resid-
% clasSmate at Central may convey
the conJagion ID Columbia Heights
where the other scholars may reside.
Interesting Experiments
IN some expern 1entS made By DR.. e.
3 Sangree, a fly was ca SIGHT and placed
ON crystal of glass on which a cuI-
:ure OF anthrax bacillus was spread,
and allowed II remain for half mih-
ute II was then Immediately trans
Tered To q glass crystal OF sterile cui-
ture medium and ielJ JheTe half min
ute The plate showed the tracks the
IN made IN that nalf \ minute Eacn
'ittle de- represented step of the fly.
These dots - footprints under the
microscope We're found TO consist or
rothing but colonies OF anthrax bacillus.
Experiments made with the typhoid
bacillus showed practically he same re
suits. out as they cannot be represented
photOgTaphicallY 50 well, the anthrax
baciIi, is given for Illustration in pref
eTence.
Space will not permit me TO multiply
other results OF observations which ]
could give.
a Water Borne Disease.
Typhoid fever Is essentially water
borne or milk borne disease, and hence
we are properly and necessarily warned
20 boil all drinking water and milk, al
though The boiling of milk does not al
ways kin the germ But the boiling of
ali the water IN The Potomac would not
stamp out an epidemic of typhoid If the
patient and everything that comes from
the sick room is not screened from the
approach Of the house fiy. The habits
Of the domestic fiy are too Well and un-
faVorably known 70 every one to need
any ella boration here No filthier insect
is known 10 man. and Yet ii is permit
ted free access To our houses, our
u bles, to our groceries and bakeries
carrying pollution and disease every
where.
disease. and yet IL is not prevented.
and why2 1t is not the fault OF the
physicians, nor of the sanitary officers,
or authorities unless it be from the
lack OF proper ordinances The fault
lies with the public. Just so long as
people are careless about boiling their
drinking water; just so long as the
house fly IS permitted free access 10 the
sick rooms and dejecta of the typhoid
patient; just so long as the soiled gar
ments and bedding of a feVeT-stricken
person are carelessiy handled or per
1uitted to lie around the house until
wash day, disseminating the germs
broadcast. just so long VIII we have
the disease in our city and elsewhere.
1 said above that typhoid fever Is
water or milk borne disease Let me
briefly but plainly explain the process by
which this dread disease is produced and
ca rTied from one locality TO another.
OAt yondeF in the beautiful and health