The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-21
FEVER LESS THAN
 FOR MANY YEARS Excavations Have Not Had &c.,
 riouS Effects DR. FAIRNESS TALKS Explains System of Keeping Typhoid Records and Steps That Are
 Taken to Prevent Spread
 of the Disease.
0R. FAIRNESS TALKS

Birminghams experience of the past few months has dispelled the theory that the digging of an excavation during the summer months frees millions of germs and results in an epidemic.
 During the past summer there was over two miles of excavation in the South Highlands district for the installation of trunk sewers. For the past several years certain sections of this district have seen more or less typhoid fever, but despite the heavy amount of excavation the number of typhoid cases reported numbers less for this district than it has in years.
 In 1907 there were 39S cases reported, that year being a record-breaker In 1908 there was a total of 2o6 cases So far this year the number of cases re- ported has amounted to over 2O6 cases, while the territory has been greatly in creased, and Avondale and East Brming- ham have been the very center of the epidemic during the summer, while Bir- mingham proper has decreased at a great rate.
 Health Officer pr. R. B. Hardness keeps track of each case and by marks upon a map showing each block in the city has arranged an exceptionally neat sys- tenn of keeping track of these matters. In each case he makes a dot and marks the number of the case reported. In this way it is possible for him to tell the ex- act location of each case. Should there be a number of cases in the same block glance at the map reveals it at once.
 The breaking out of a number of cases in the same neighborhood is the sig nal for strenuous action. As the germs can only be transmitted through the things which the people drink the person in vestigating nearly always leads off with a look into the dairies The epidemic Is generally stopped by the milk supply be- ing investigated and analysed thorough ly. If found to contain typhoid germs the dairy is closed up and the further spread of this disease stopped from this source.
 The decrease in the number of cases on South Highlands is the result of hard work on the part of the health depart ment in looking after dairies. This par ticular work is being looked after in- dustriouslys> In July, 1sO7 all records were broken, there being v cases of typhoid fever during that month. The map used by the department that month showed two or three squares to be a hotbed of typhoid.
 That typhoid fever can be contracted only through food and drinks is matter with which Dr. Hardness states the gener- la public isnot familiar. Milk is the most common way through which a person may become infected with typhoid germs and in this respect the dairymen have an immense responsibility upon their hands.
 .The fact that no epidemic or great amount of sickness resulted from the excavating for the new sewerage sys- tenn is a matter which speaks eloQuently in the killing of this idea. Many physi- clans still hold to 1t but Birmingham experience should settle it all." said Dr. Hardness in this connection. Absolute cleanliness in the home kitchen and in the dairy Is what is needed"