Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1909-10-11
DR.. t. B. Beatty Sets Out
How to Prevent Typhoid

water but that 10 shall be 80 safe
guarded throughout its course as Co in-
sure delivery Ina lts original purity
For immediate purposes, a thorough
and systematic inspection from source
90 finish of the various streams should
Doe made, together with the destruction
or removal Of all impurities discovered.
To provide for future protection, a
rigid patrol system should be estab-
lished covering the course of tho
streams and neighborlng watershed.
Camping on the banks should be- pro-
hib.tgd, or allowed only upon "a permit,
subject TO strict sanitary regulations as
90 disposal OF waste. etc The entire
watershed should be owned and COM
trolled by the city, or set aside as a
forest reserve. and until this Is con-
summatcd, proper regulations should be
imposed upon persons residing thereon.
The Brighton summer resort az the
head Of B.g Cottonwood should be
placed under careful surveillance ana
precautionary measures enforced 60
prevent the great danger Of c0utamina-
tion from that source. One ease OF ~
phold fever existing on amy part of the
watershed supplying the city is capable
OF originating an epidemic Of the dis
ease. a case IN point among many re-
corded Illustrating this danger may be
reCited In the town Of Plymouth. sit
uated In the mountains OF pennsyl-
vania, a sudden typhoid epidemic ap-
pearcd during the month of April
Cases We're reported at the rate Of from
100 60 200 daily, and, out OF n total
population OF 5000. between 1900 and
1900 cases occurred resulting in t25
deaths. Investigation OF the water sup
ply disclosed tho fact that during the
previous winter case of typhoid fever
had existed on the banks of a stream
supplying the town with water, the eN-
crota having been deposited on the
ground adjacent a spring thaw had
washed the material into the stream.
with The deadly results stated. II IS
significant In this connection to recall
that a chemical analysis of the water
was made which disclosed no evidence
Of any contamination or impurities,
demonstrating, az has so often been
proven, that a chemical analysis Of a
wlter supply Us yalueless, nasmuch as
there are no chemical means Of deter
mining the presence or absence of dis
ease organisms Organcally Consid-
cred the salt lake water supply is al
ways comparatively free from contain
ination, but this should not be accepted
as 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. It's installation would
he reasonable In cost. and would render
the water supply perfect. incidentally,
besides insuring against dangerous inn
purities, IL would prevent the entrance
of mud which circulates in the city
water pipes during the Hood season. to
the great annoyance OF the people. At
the present time all water used for cul-
mary purposes should be- boiled
The disposal OF sewage I'm those por-
s.. HEs..H H.
sewer system should receive prompt
attention. and there IS imperative ne
cessity for the correction OF evils
which. as before stated, are largely
responsible for the typhoid epidemic
Not less than 900 outhOuses are In use
throughout the city. hundreds Of them
within the sewer districts I'm direct vio-
lation Of the law In a majority OF in
stances the contents are exposed 90
files, and they are otherwise very un-
sanitary
steps should be taken TO cause the
covering with lime Of the contents Of
an such places and hereafter they
should be maintained under strict regu-
latlOus, subject 10 periodical inspection.
They should be so constructed as to
exclude flies from their contents, ard
frequently disinfeoted.
The violation OF the law by property
owners who have failed 10 connect with
the sewer where possible is ineKcusable,
| and rigorous steps should be taken -
enforce connection on all such premises.
As long as open and unsanitarv out
houses are permitted. II viii be imDOs-
sible 20 effectively safeguard the pub
| lie health Flies inevitably enter them
and. becoming contaminated, carry ty-
| phOid infection to milk. II II happens 10
/ be present, and other foods that are
consumed I'm an uncOOked condition.
| The need for the enforcement u the
| precautionary measures described is es-
| pecially imperative Ia consequence Of
| the epidemic. Much undisinfected sew
/ age has without doubt been depos ted
/ IN the surface receptacles under con-
| sideIatiOn. In all parts of the city and
! under such conditions the germs live
| many months, continuing 20 be men
| ace during the remaining ny season
| and also that OF next year. II Is un-
| necessary to add that these dangerous
( pests, which are the ubiquitous and In
| dustrious agents engaged I'm the nsfurl-
! Gus occupation Of transporting Nth and
! disease germs, should be carefully ex-
! cluded and an unceasing warfare
should be waged against them The
| extension OF the sewer system should
be made until II shall supply all pOr-
lions OF the town that can be covered
From the sordid standpoint OF money
cost alone the recent experience has
demonstrated that IL is false economy
20 spare any expense or paths necessary
% avoid "a like occurrence. 70 can be-
demonstrated that typhoid fever. at /,
low estimate annually casts the t,ccple
| loss Of time and destruction OF lie. not
4 A