The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-11-20

Nav we not find these startling head
lines IN our papers some day.
Certain IT Is that contamination Of
water supplies has been responsible for
most epidemies of typhoid fever, ehoi-
era and other water-borne diseases. and
those communities that do not use fl
tered water are liable at any time to
come face to face with these diseases.
Honolulu is one of them, and being
situated within the tropics and in close
touch with the Orient the danger is real
if surface water is to be used.
Several years ago this subject was
agitated by the hawaiian Board Of
Health and plans and specifications for
a filter plant for Nuuanu valley were
prepared by Mr.. Rudolph Herring, c. E
The government at that time decided
TO supply the city with artesian water
which requires no fltering and the mat
ter was dropped. Now, however, when
the present administration is about to
construct a large reservoir at the upper
part Of Nuuanu valley for the purpose
of supplying surface water, this matter
must again be called to their attention,
and il appears TO me emlnently proper
that the Hawaiian Territorial Medical
Society should discuss 1t and urge the
government to construct a suitable fl
ter plant without delay. Let them not
wait until bitter experience forces
home the lessons taught in other places
The object of sanitary science is the
prevention Of disease. One of the func-
items Of government is the conservation
of the public health, and laws are
passed and regulations made based
upon the teachings OF sanitary science
for this express purpose.
Glance at our building, and intricate
plumbing regulations, at the Board of
Health rules concerning eesspools ana
sewers and at the laws relating TO the
adulteration of foods Note the careful
supervision of dairies and the work OF
the sanitary officers in ferretIng out
nuisanees and in disposlng of garbage
all bearing directly on the preservation
Of health and the prevention OF disease
Yet. how supine we are on the water
question: How slow we are to learn by
the sad experience Of other communities
the dangers that lie In an unprotected
water supplyt
With all its enterprise in other dlree-
lions this government is taking no steps
TO provide the city with pure water. 1t
proposes that we shall drink and bathe
In dilution of filth from the valley res
ervoirs which at any time may contain
the virulent germs of typhoid fever,
cholera. dvsentery, anehylostoma or
liver fuke.
Every citizen should demand as more
important than any other measure for
the preservation Of health, pure water
supply. one about which there can be no
possible suspicion.
The press can do no greater service
than 10 urge the necessity Of filtration
IN season and out OF season until IT. Is
accomplished.
The filtration Of water has long since
nassed the experimental stage. IT IS
one OF the fundamental facts OF SAM
tary science.
Every city that mas adopted If has
had the satisfaction of reducing typhoid
fever and other enterie diseases TO a
negligible quantity.
For instance. Berlin from 1S43 TO 1875
before using filtered water, averaged
a hout one death anEaalsy TO every one
thousand inhabitants, from 1871 10
1901 after using filtered water, TINS
a,araoa was reduced 20 one death &c
- +r-an+v thousand: which Is TO say