The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1909-10-11
TYPHOID GERM
Is EASILY KILLED
Continued from Page 1

proximity at Woods Cross. Undoubt-
eddy the milk had been infected by flies
contaminated by undiSinfeCted typhoid
excreta from premises where there had
been an unrepOrted case of the disease.
Many epidemics have in this manner
originated in diaries and it should fur
nish a lesson for the future.
THE remaining three-fourths, or
about 175 cases, reported during the out
break, have been generally distributed
throughout the city, no locality being
exempt. The milk supply of these cases
has been about equally divided between
the various diaries and private cows,
besides in a number Of instances con-
densed milk; and the rational conclusion
is that infected milk was not response
bic except where it may have been con-
taminated in the home by flies.
There are two existing conditions in
Salt Lake City that are a constant men
ace to the public health. They are re
sponsible for the usual prevalence of
typhoid fever, and as before stated, are
unqueStiOnably the cause of that por-
ton of the present epidemic not due to
the infected diaries. Reference is made
to the lack of protection of the water
supply and the condition and methods of
maintenance of outhOuses throughout
the city"
THE natural water supply of Salt Lake
City is unexcelled by that of any city in
the country, having its source in the
springs and melted SHOWS from the noun
tam tops. 1t is, however, subjected to
many dangers from contamination in its
course through the canyons; and this Will
remain inevitable until the need ssary
steps are taken to prevent it. Many peO-
pie resent criticism of the water sup
ply because of alleged injury to the rep
7rFnH f.rf T1a
life shall be endangered than that real
estate values shall suffer. 1t would be
a much wiser and more honest policy to
adopt such measures as shall warrant
the claim that not only has nature album
dainty Furnished us the puTest of water
but that il shall be so safeguarded
throughout its course as TO insure deliv-
cry in its original purity.
Makes recommendations
For immediate purposes a, thorough
and systematic inspection from source to
finish of the various streams should be
made, together with the destruction or re-
mOval of all impurities discovered.
ITO provide for future protection a rigid
patrol system should be established, COW
ering the course of the streams and
neighboTing watershed. Camping on the
banks should be prohibited. or allowed
only upon a permit subject to strict sani-
tary regulations as to disposal of waste
etc The entire watershed should be owned
as a forest reserve; and until this is
cOnsummated proper regulations should
be imposed upon persons residing there
on.
1.-THE Brighton summer resort at the
head of Big Cottonwood should be placed
under careful surveillance and precau-
tiOnaTy measures enforced to prevent the
great danger of contamination from that
source. One case of typhoid fever ex-
listing on any part of the watershed sup
plying the city is capable of originating
an epidemic of the disease. A case in
point among many recorded illustrating
this danger may be cited.
In the town of Plymouth, situated in
the mountains of Pennsylvania, a sudden
typhoid epidemic appeared during the
month Of April. Cases were reported at
the rate of from 100 to 200 daily, and out
of a total population of 5000 between 1 200
and 1,500 cases occurred, resulting in 1875
deaths. Investigation of the water sup
ply disclosed the fact that during the
previous winter a case of typhoid fever
had existed on the banks Of a stream
supplying the town with water, the ex-
creta having been deposited on the ad-
jacent ground.
"a spring thaw had washed the mate
rial into the stream. with the deadly re-
suits stated. 1t is significant in this con-
nectiOn to recall that a chemical analysis
Of the water was made which disclosed
no evidence of any contamination or i'm
purities, demonstrating, as has so often
been proven, that a chemical analysis
of a water supply is valueless inasmuch
as there are no chemical means of deter
mining the presence or absence of dis
ease organisms,
Water Naturally Pure.
"Organically considered, the Salt Lake
water supply is always comparatively
free from contamination, but this should
rot be accepted as a safe test for the
reasons set forth.
"A sand filtration system is the best
solution of the water question and should
receive the early attention of the CITY
authorities Its installation would be rea-
sonable in cost and would render the wa
ter supply perfect Incidentally besides
insuring against dangerous impurities it
would prevent the entrance of mud which
circulates in the city water pipes during
the flood season, to the great annoyance
of the people At the present time all
water used for culinary purposes should
be boiled.
1.-THE disposal of sewage in those por-
tions of the city not supplied by the
sewer system should receive prompt at
tention, and there is imperative necessity