Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-12-14
FEVER SITUATION CORRECTED
State Board of Health Expects No
Recurrence of Disease

ance oil FEVER was quickly dSCor eoin-
ed and promptly corrected.
The State Board reports that the
steps taken to correct the situation
must inevitably prevent any re-
currence of the trouble and express
es entire confidence in it's prompt
and definite elimination several
weeks ago.
That the trouble was promptly
stamped out right at the beginning
ma been conclusively demonstrated.
Foil wing is the full text of the
report by the State Board Of Health
Commonwe alth of Virginia
Department OF Health
Richmond
December, 9, 1910
GEN F.. W. NICHOLS, SUPT.,
Virginia Military Institute,
Lexington, Virginia.
DEAR SIR: We have the honor TO
make report Of the results Of the re-
cent Investigation of the typhoid
situation at the Institute and in
Lexington.
This situation has been carefully
studied, and all the facts which
may have a bearing on the subject
have been considered in the final
conclusions.
We believe that the trouble be-
ginning at the Institute on Novem-
Der 14th, and recognized as typhoid
t yer on the 18th, was part of and
due to the same causes as the trouble
beginning at the same time in the
town of Lexington, and recogn lied
as typhoid on November Oath. Frcm
the evidence before US, we are OF
opinion that all these causes of ty-
phoid fover were due to an infection
of the public water supply. The
earlier outbreak in the Institute
and in the eastern end OF the town,
together with the fact that the cases
we're confined to one half the town
that portion lying east of Nelson
would indicate the infection
to have taken place in the mains
and not at the source of supply.
We believe that the infection was
brought about by the practice OIL
shutting off the water supply dur
ing certain hours of the day, made
necessary by the prolonged drought.
The heavy draughts OF water in the
lower end of the town probably act
ed at such times todraw the sewage
or polluted water through small
leaks into the mains. The fact that
the main leading to the Institute
was emptied first when the water
/, was shut off probably caused mos
5 Of this polluted water to rise through
this main and accounted for tn,
earlier outbreak at the Institut,
9 and the lower end of town.
= A most careful study of sanitar!
e conditions at the Institute failed l.
A: reveal any cause for a local out
break. The sources of all food sup
= plies we're carefully investigated
the kitchen and mess-hall careful
!. inspected and general sanitary in
4 spection made OF the premises.
l. We are of opinion that tho cor
duct of affairs at the Institute
% such as to preclude the possibilit
OF an epidemic due to sources will
- in the Institute itself.
The measure recommended to til
, town OF Lexington. discontinuanC
IN OF the practice of shutting off tt
Iv water, led to prompt subsidenC
10 of the trouble, and an addition
of supply of water, since made avai
~ able, insures at all times in Il
q. mains a pressure sufficient to pr
4 vent a recurrence of the infection.
The source of the water used /
- the GOWN of Lexington is thorough
IA safeguarded and but for the unusu
e condition caused by the prolong,
NJ drought the infection could not ba
taken place.
80 From these facts, we believe the
should be no difficulty or danger
10 re-opening the Institute on Janua
T, 4th as contemplated, and no reas
ha to fear any further outbreak of t