The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1910-04-27

second state sanatorium on the beau
negie has so generously given to the
commonwealth. and a third site has
been selected In the foot hills of the
Blue mountains, near Hamburg, in the
eastern end of the state.
For Pure Water.
In fighting such a widely prevalent
disease as typhoid fever, the useful
ness of central state health organi.
zation is especially demonstrated
Against typhoid local board is prac-
tically helpless. This is because the
chief sources of infection are the wa.
ter courses. Our rivers unfortunately
do not recognize state or county lines,
A municipality may prevent water pol.
luton from the banks within its own
jurisdiction. but cannot prevent II in
other sections. Pittsburg may stop Its
own citizens from sewering into the
streams, but she cannot stop other
communities from pollutlng the wa
ters from which she draws her own
supply. And the discouraging fact Is
that, while one town may refrain from
polluting the stream so that another
further down may not have to drink
its filth, its own water supply may be
polluted by less conscientious neigh
bors living upstream. Up to the year
1905 man in Pennsylvania appeared
to have lost the natural instincts of
the lower animals and seemed indif-
ferent to the danger of loading his
system with that which nature has
once thrown off as poison Man, un.
like the beasts of the field. had taken
on the habit of discharging his offal
into the streams from which he took
his drinking water Only some central
body, which has absolute control over
all water courses, can accomplish a
general publication of the streams.
The legislature recognized this ne
cessity for central control when. in
1905. II placed all water courses, so
far as public sanitation was concerned.
under the jurisdiction of the governor,
attorney general and commissioner of
health. But there are also other pri-
vate sources of pollution-especially
the old-fashioned privies and wells
which still are found in large mum.
bers, overfowlng into streams. These
the department of health has now the
power to abolish. The department has
in file complete and detailed maps
showing all the states water courses
large and small. Whenever a case Of
typhoid fever Is reported it can i'm
mediately put its finger on the water
shed where the disease originated and
investigate accordingly. No municipal
| ity can now construct water works
without first obtaining the states ap-
proval of its plans. II cannot build
sewerage plants without similar con-
sent Acting through these broad pow.
ers, the health department, through
its army of inspectors has penetrated
The remotest recesses of the state, in
specting premises. noting palpable
nuisances. investigating water and
sewerage systems. A wholesome
cleanup has ensued In most cases the
individuals and municipalities affected
have realized the necessity of rene
dial measures and have accepted the
work in a proper spirit. Up to date 1t
has inspected 256,62S premises in rural
districts and caused the abatement OF
1S,945 pollutions. It has issued 204 de.
crees requiring changes in public wa.
ter works. Under its advice and sug.
gestion, all over the state, cities and
municipal bodies have awakened and
voluntarily begun to improve their
water supplies. Under the supervls
ion of the department slxty-seven sew,
age disposal plants and thirty-fve wa
ter filter plants have been built or are
now under construction.
Tunhoid Nuf no,AIn