The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-06-29
NJ EPIDEMIC OF
 TYPHOID FEVER Reports of Number of Cases Have Been Exaggerated MORE I HAN USUAL HOWEVER County Medical Society Taking Steps to Prevent Any Spread of the
 Disease Through Water
 and Milk.
MORE THAN USUAL HOWEVER

for the past week or two of an epidemic of typhoid fever have been, according to prominent physicians greatly exaggerat- ed. There are probably some thrty-fiye or forty case in the city, which is in ex- cess of the average for June in Birming- l ham.
 The Jefferson County Medical society is taking active steps to prevent a spread of the disease The work is being done through a special committee consisting of pr. J. NJ. Mason, county health officer; pr. R. B. Hardness, city health officer; pr. D. F. Talley, secretary of the health committee. and City Engineer Kendrick.
 Dr. E. II. Sholl, chairman of the health 1 committee of the Jefferson County Medi- cal society, yesterday made the follow ing statement regarding the work of the special committee:
 ShoPs Statement.
 'ryphoid fever has set in this year earlier than usual and the number of cases is in excess of the number for this period of the summer for several years back. When we discovered this fact the
  ascertain the cause and to remedy it as soon as possible.
 "There is no epidemic of typhoid in the city as has been currently reported nor does there seem to be any danger of one. l think that the public mind has been un- duly aroused in regard to the matter.
 "This special committee, which was ap- pointed by the medical society, made a rigid examination of the Cahaba and the North Birmingham filtration plants, and also made tests of the water. The com mittee made it's report, which embodied certain recommendations which in its es- timation will improve the quality of the water. It found the water in excellent condition.
 impure water and milk Is the direct cause of nearly all typhoid fever cases. The germs enter the body generally through water or milk. l have recom- mended to all my patients and all tho homes in which 1 am called that all the water be boiled before il is used. This destroys all the germs and prevents any danger of disease.
 ''In regard to the milk the same com mittee is Investigating and inspecting every dairy that furnishes milk to Bir- mingham. There are about l5O of these dairles, and it takes some time to inspect them all Some daries which do business in the city are supplied by dozen or a score of minor dairy farms, and as far as possible we are tracing milk back ts each of these dairies and having it in- spected. Inspector Duncan of the city de- partment is aiding in this inspection.
 Trace to Origin.
 "Whenever we have a case of typhoid fever reported we attempt to trace the water used and also the milk and in this way ascertain the origin of the disease.
 My understanding is that there are about thirty-five or forty eases in the city. If the people will boil their water and heat the milk to about 165 degrees they will greatly reduce the risk of dis ease"
 pr. Hardness, city health officer, to whom all cases of typhoid fever are re- ported refused yesterday to give any sta tistics He would not make any statement regarding the number of cases in the city, but referred everyone seeking information to Dr. Sholl.
 Dr. B. c. Copeland stated that there were a number of cases in the city, some thing in excess of the number last year, but that in his opinion there was noth- ing like an epidemic, nor was there any danger of one. He stated that he was attending several cases, but the number f., of | number about this time each year. pr. Cunningham Wilson also stated that there was no cause for alarm in the city, as the situation was in no way serious. He said that a number of cases had come under his observation, and that he was attending several but that fin nearly every one of the cases the disease was con- tracted out of the city.
 pr. Jordan's Statement. Dr. Will Jordan said last night: Ut is unfortunate that the reports have been circulated that there is an epidemic of typhoid fever in Birmingham. This Is far from the truth and as a matter of fact there are fewer cases now than there were at this time three or four years ago.
 "The report probably arose from the fact that several prominent people were suffering from typhoid fever this spring and this gave prominence to the few cases that are existing. Relatively we have fewer cases in Birmingham than in most cities, and there are no more now than is usual at this time of the year. 'I also consider 1t mistake to blame the cases to the water. believe that flies spread the germs from house to house more than water or milk. We have very good water here from our water works company.
 "AlI cities have more or less typhoid fever at different times during the year, and it is generally worse in Birmingham in June and early in July. l am glad that the misleading reports are being cor- rected."
 Several of the cases of typhoid fever | in Birmingham have been traced directly to impure well water which has been used There are still a number of wells | in the city in use.