The evening star and Newark advertiser. [volume] (Newark, N.J.) 1907-1908, 1907-08-12
USED WATER
KNOWN AS
IMPURE
CONTINUED from First page,

flcted In their work to the detriment Of
the State. DR.. Mitchell named one incl
dent, when the question arose as to the
polluting Of the Maurice River. In this
instance the State Sewage Commission
had permitted something which the Board
of Health had prohibited.
Asked by Mr.. Backes what WINS his idea
of remedying such evils. DR.. Mitchell sntd
that, in his opinion, all matters relating
to water supplies and eewage should be
under the supervision of a general depart
ment of health. Cnde the advisory board
DIR. Mitchell said there should be the de-
partments of vital statistics. food and
drugs. laboratory diagonsis. contagious
diseased animals and water supply and
sewage.
Taking up the epidemic Of typhoid in the
asylum, DR.. Mitchell said that samples
of the spring water had been taken by an
employee of the State laboratory and the
results were recorded on a record card.
Mr.. Baclxes ordered him to produce the
cards. The first inspection was made June
II. and the sample of water disclosed that
colon bacilli was found in the water. DR..
Mitchell said that the presence of colon
bacilli in the water. with the fact that
typhoid was prevalent in the institution,
In the absence of strange symptoms. IN
dicated that the water may have been the
cause. When asked If 1t was dangerous,
DR.. Mitchell said 1t was.
Mr.. Backes then wanted the letter files
of DIR. Mitchell for April. May and June.
Counsel called his attention to a letter
to Warden Hayes, dated April 80, which
called the warden's attention to the fact
that colon bacilli had been found In the
water, but did not order HIM to stop
using 1t. The witness asked how he ex-
planned the letter after he rave testimony
as to the dangers of colon bacilli. DR..
Mitchell said that the germ was very
slight in the first examination of the water.
The witness said that the board had no
knowledge of the fact that there was an
epidemic Of typhoid raging at the ~institu-
tion until Jun Il. He did not know why
the authorities wanted the water ex-
amined.
Ibid you ever advise that the water of
the spring be not used for rinking pur-
poses?" asked MIR. Backes.
"On June is I advised this by letter." he
answered.
The witness explained that he verbally
advocated this before writing the letter,
but was informed that without the spring
supply the institution would not have
enough water.
DR.. Mitchell said that 1t is not vet GER
tain that the typhoid epidemic was caused
by the water and perhaps the source would
never be known. DR.. Mitchell then read
the letter of Tune Is, to DIR. Ward, in
which he did not advocate the abandoning
the spring but ordered that 1t be covered.
The letter reviewed the conditions of
filth existing and ordered DR.. Ward to have
them removed and recommended that more
cleanly methods be used.
Mr.. Backes qulzzed Or. Mitchell as to
why, in view Of the fact that on June Is
there were fully twenty cases of typhoid
raging, he did not order the supply cut off.
DIR. Mitchell said that he was not yet
convinced that the spring was the cause
of the disease epidemic.
An examination of the water made July
0 showed the germ decreasing, but July
q 1t was increasing again. In a letter of
July % to DR.. Ward, DR.. Mitchell said
spring used by Joseph Dennish, the asy-
lum miller. showed that the water was
polluted. Saeeral of the Dennish family
were down With the disease. The sample
of water was taken by DR.. G. N. ]. Som
mer. the family physician.
According to DIR. Mitchell this was not
from the spring, but the water seeping
through from the stream of the canal.
Mr., Backes asked If the presence of
nitrate in the water would not indicate
that a sewer was near. The physician
said that it would and added that there
was a sewer within forty feet.
The witness was then asked IL the State
Board of Health did anything else other
than examine the water, toward abating
the disease. He answered that the board
advocated removing the filthy condition
at the institution. He also went person.
ally to Judge vroom, who welcomed his
suggestions.
Dr.. Mitchell and Mr.. Backes then had
quite a warm discussion. DR.. Mitchell said
he did not care what polluted the spring it
should be filled up. Mr.. Backes asked him
If he did not resent the act of the State
Sewage Commission in making an exam
nation of the sewer. DR.. Mitchell said he
did not.
Judge William M. Lanning. of Trenton, a
member of the State Board of Health, was
called as the next witness.
Judge tanning said he had attended
every meeting of the board since hts APP
pointment except when court engagements
conf1icted. He has been connected with
health matters for nearly twenty-five
years, about twenty years of which he
was counsel for the State Board of Health.
Upon the request OF Mr.. Backes ne re-
viewed the history of the State board
since 1877. Judge tanning gave a complete
review Of these matters, dealing with the
powers invested in the board by the Legis-
lature- He said that the overs were
very limited.
"In regard to conditions existing at the
State Hospital the State Board of Health
can Inspect and advise, and there their
authority ends" he said. at think that
the system of sanitary legislation In the
State is somewhat a%ntiquated and not up
to date, and could be improved. There
should be a department of health, which
should have control of all health matters.
That would give them very extensive
duties, too extensive to be controlled by
n executive head. 1t should be divided
into several bureaus, and it seems to me
the department could be better controlled
by bureaus similar to those of the national
government.
THE department Of sanitary inspection
should be one and the bureau Of vital
statistics, with an improved system of
getting returns. should be another. AMI
NAL diseases communicable to human be-
tngs should also be ind" the supervision
of the department Of health. Public water
supply and sewerage should come under
one department.
The bureau of food and drugs could
zeal with creameries also. That makes
FIVE departments. Each bureau should have
q chief who should report to one execu-
tive head who should be held responsible
for the affairs of .the departments.
Continuing. Judge Lanning said: "If Won
VIII pardon me for saying the dual system
has been the cause of the conditions at the
State hospital. M
"fhis board of health should consist Of
seven members, three physicians two ,au,