Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1906-10-03
FILTERS DID
GOOD WORK
EngineerLeiSen Declares That
Washington Results Exceed
European Standard

OF the Water Department, In speaking
Of the conditions in Washington and
the prevalence Of typhoid fever there.
to-day said;
Il see nothing in the Washington
situation that would cause me to feel
discouraged in the work we are doing
here. or lead me to feel that we are
making mistake in adopting the slAw
sand and sedimentation filter system"
Mr.. Lessen said that it win probably
be a month before the Washington au-
thorities are ready to report in full on
the typhoid epidemic and its causes.
A preliminary report has been filed
and It advises all users Of water, both
Potomac and filtered to boil it as a
precaution pending the investigation
now being made. An independent in
vestigation is being made by the bac-
teriologists in the laboratory Of the
Marine Hospital and the Bureau of
Health The Department of Agricul-
ture also is investigating the presence
Of typhoid germs in fruit and veget-
ables found for sale in the open mar
ket
Peaches Carry Germs.
One Of the tests so far made shows
that peaches and tomatoes sold in the
open market of the city there have
been found to contain typhoid bacoli.
The Health Bureau is Investigating
the various local conditions with refer
ence to altitude, drainage and crowd
ed conditions. but so far they do not
account for more than % per cent. OF
the typhoid fever cases.
From 10 to Is per cent. Of the cases
have been due to milk which was
served by a milkman whose dairy adj
Joined a farm where two cases of ty-
phoid fever had been. A certain pro-
portion is due to wells and old els
terms in use in certain sections of the
city.
Some cases are those who have
recently moved into the city with the
germs already in their systems, or tc
those who have returned from vaca.
lions In unhealthy climates or condi-
lions. All these subjects are being
carefully investigated by the best ex-
perts in the country with the result
that if the cause can be found it will
De-
Filters Excellent Work.
The filters in Washington, about
which we were more concerned than
anything else. are doing all that could
be expected of them. in fact they are
showing a better result than the best
filters OF Europe. The European
standard is 100 bacteria per cubic CEN
timeter, but the Washington filters
have showed the following average pei
month:
October. 1905 ........63 bact. per Gem
| November, 1905 ......77 bact. per Gem
December. 1905. .....55 bact. per com
January 1906. .......33 bact. per Gem
February 1906 ......15 bact per Gem
/ March, 1906 ..........17 bact. per cc.m
| April, 1906 ...........21 bact. per Gem
May, 1906 ...........1S bact. per Gem
/ June, 1906 ............15 bact. per &C. m
July, 1906 .............3l bact. per cc.m
August. 1906 ..........13 bact. per Gem
September. 1906 lib bact. per Gem
The greatest number shown was 90
per cubic centimeter and the fewes
was bacteria per cc.m.
The efficiency of the filter can bes
be known when it is remembered tina
the Potomac water before filtration
shows from $4,000 to $4,000 baeteril
per cubic centimeter,
Washington Puzzle.
"The Washington situation" said Mr.
Leisen, presents an anomaly. TIL
health in the alleys and congested sec
lions of the city is actually better thar
in the less crowded and fine Residential
sections. The death rate is lower il
the slums than in the fine residenc
districts and the typhoid fever case
are more in the districts which ar
properly severed and where every san
\ itary device known to modern plumb
ing is to be found. This condition /
practically unique in the United State
and is a distinct contradiction of tn
modern theories of sanitation as
remedy for disease.
"In fact" said Mr.. Lessen, "the sit
uation there has caused a rude shoe
TO some of the theories OF our bes
experts on sanitation and health /
large cities"