The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1909-01-21
A Plain Talk About the Causes ct
Typhoid Fever.

|
ologist, N. D. A. c. 4g
Here are some facts concerning
typhoid fever that the people OF
Minot and vicinity should consider
In the spring, when the snow melts,
the surface water will TEEN with
these germs and there will no doubt
be many cases of the fever, much of
which could be avoided:
One of the diseases Of Northwest
Tor which there Is least excuse is
what is generally known as "a Run
OF Fever" "Red River Fever" and
sometimes merely Fever" all OF
which may be classified under the
general title of Typhoid. Typhoid
fever is extremely prevalent in psr:s
OF the state, especially in the rural
districts, and its presence is largely
due to the fact that proper methods
Of combating it and treatment are
not understood. Moreover It is not
com.prehended by people who should
understand such things that H. is a
disease which is readily communicate
ed from person to person by means
of number OF agencies. If those
agencies are rendered harmless the
trouble cannot increase. It has
been found by light of late medical
study that typhoid is an unnecessary
disease.
The seat OF action is in the intes-
tine. The ordinary portal OF entry
is through the mouth. The diseased
condition occurs in the intestines
and is due in most cases to- an ul-
ceration which causes a high fever
and general breakdown OF the sys-
tenn and often death. About two
thirds OF the deaths from this dis
ease are due to tuberculosis and
pneumonia and complications which
gain a foothold, due to the weaken
ed condition Of the body at the time
of the attack.
! Typhoid is caused by becteria.
Since the center OF the trouble IS in
the intestines it logically follows
that all material passing through
the intestines is infected with the
disease germ. II we could render
absolutely safe all such excremen-
tious material the disease would be
almost entirely eradicated. Con-
sequently, the next point in logical
order is the killing of these disease
germs inthis matter given off from
the intestines by thorough treatment
with some chemical which shall kill
! the disease in it.. The substances
which are cheapest and most avail
able for this purpose are Chloride
of Lime or Bleaching Powder and
common Lime. Where a case Of
typhoid is present in the house all
eXcrementious matter sould be re-
moved and carefully and plentifully
treatedwith one Or the other of the
compounds. In that way the dis
ease would be killed and no further
danger may arise from this source.
! 10
by the fact that this matter of ex-
pediency has not been carefully look
ed after. $50"
Typhoid fever is a water born
disease. 1t naturally follows that
rain fallino on center ofinfection
will wash away and dissolve some of
lit, and this water then becomes con.
taminated. If it passes away into a
stream the stream likewise is infect
ed. If it seeps through the soil
to some adjacent we'll or cistern
that water supply also becomes in
!, fected. and it is not strange thai
> cases break out, either in the same
family or some family using tina
source OF water supply. It natural
!, lily follows then that the location o
, the we'll should be above that o
the house, or at some safe distance
from it where slop water, and var
. ious kinds Of contamination ma,
not be washed down into the vel
Moreover the we'll should be banke'
at, the mouth, and it should be GOV
cred as tightly as possible in orde
, to keep all surface water from
' gaining admittance. It has beel
, found that in ordinary soil contain
nation can seep through the sol
for a distance Of from fifty TO on
hundred feet, consequently, all 81
IoromonH shnuh no den0RitAd 1t