The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-03-23

N""' "oihSh nave contracted pueT-
peral fever from contaminated soil
conditions near their bed rooms, the
atmosphere which was inhaled hav-
ing been proved to be contaminated
by soil pollution near their bed room
windows. While this is an extreme
case, and possibly the menace to gen.
eral health from soil contamination
Is not so great in Sumter owing to
our soil conditions, nevertheless we
can impose upon nature to such an
extent that she will sooner or later
rebel.
So that if we seek healthful condi-
tions we must necessarily have sur
face and underground drainage to
avoid soil pollution and atmosphere
cal contamination.
Turkey Creek is now also the out
let for disposal of the sewage Of the
eastern half of our sewerage sys-
tenn. While it is true that this sew
age passes through a process of puri-
fication through what Is known as the
septic tank" process before 1t emp
ties into Turkey Creek, nevertheless
1t Is grave question of whether the
average percentage Of publication by
what Is known as publication by bac-
terial oxidation. supposed to be OBJ
tained in the septic tank is sufficient
to guarantee using a small stream
like Turkey Creek as the ultimate
source of disposal unless we are as
sured that the effluvia from the sep
tic tank Is doubly subjected to the
purifying process of what Is known
as "purification by precipitation" In
order to have publication by precipi-
tation we must have a constant flow
OF water per minute greatly in excess
OF what Turkey Creek now affords
owing to its filled and choked up con-
dition. If we empty the effluvia from
this septic tank in even a greatly re-
duced state Of contamination, and do
not provide sufficient rapidity of ve-
locity to aid publication we then
gradually contribute by our neglec.
towards the creation of a big incu-
bator for bacteria in this canal be-
cause millions of bacteria are lodged
In the sour. soggy, damp soil of the
lower edges Of the ditch for miles.
and the damp soil, decomposing veg
etable and unmacerated animal mat
ter of this canal together with the
heat of this climate act as a medium
OF culture or fertilization for the
propagation and multiplicity Of va
rious disease bearing germs.
If we keep Turkey Creek flowing
rapidly and carry away our surface
and underground water, and the
residue from the publication tank we
do lot towards safeguarding our
health and our comfort by doing
away with mosquitoes and millions OF
disease bearing germs.
The danger we incur from a canal
contaminated with disease bearing
bacteria lies in the throwing out Of
the contaminated soil which must be
done periodically in order to clean
the canal. Flies light upon these soils
and millions of germs cling to the
feet of flies only to be transferred to
something we eat or drink.
we must therefore keep, Turkey
Creek In the very best open condition
TO secure rapid disposition of all waste
waters and storm waters from our
city.
The hook worm," parasite which
Is rapidly assisted in it's process Of
evolution from the egg, to the full
sized insect finds it's most prolific
source of existence and multiplication
in damp soils. Therefore this scourge
alone which about equals the NOR
tuary rate Of tuberculosis, and the
consequent material loss of hundreds
OF thousands Of dollars caused by
disease, death, lack of earning power,
ETC. from invalids should prompt us
TO do everything within our power to
get at the quickest possible date the
very best and most up-to-date system
OF drainage, which will match up
with our uneXceled water supply.
our sewerage system, which places
within our reach the correct facilities
Tor sewage disposal. and when we
nave gotten rid Of mosquitoes, pre-
vented our atmosphere from contami-
nation by doing away with stagnant
water sour low land, avoiding soil
pollution, and these together with
pure fresh air to breathe. an abun-
dance of pure water to drink, and
pure food. we will have made great
strides towards more healthful con-