Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1910-11-30
State Health Officers Make Report
on Fever Situation

engineer, and DR.. A. w. Freeman,
assistant commissioner, Of the State
Board OF Health, who spent some
days in Lexington Investigating in
to the causes of cases of fever here,
have submitted their report, which
was received by the Town Council
at meeting held today at O'Clock.
Following is the report.
To the Board of Health and Town
Council, Lexington, Va:
GENTLEMEN: We have the honor to
make preliminary report on the ty-
phoid situation in the Town of Lex
ington at the present time. We
have investigated all cases reported
up to the present time, made a sani-
tary survey of the water supply and
gathered ali available information
which might have a bearing on the
subject.
From the evidence at present be-
fore us, we are of opinion that
the cases of typhoid at present in
Lexington, including those at the
Virginia Military Institute and at
Washington and Lee University, are
due to an infection of the public
water supply. The early outbreak
at the Institute and in the eastern
end of the Town, together with the
fact that the cases are practically
all confined to one half the Town,
that portion lying east of Nelson
street, would seem to Indicate that
the Infection took place in the mains
and not at the source of supply. We
believe that this infection was
brought about by the practice of
shutting off the water by the valve
at the upper end of Town. The
heavy draughts OF water at the
lower end of Town probably acted
at such times to draw sewage or
heavily pollu ted water through
small leaks into the mains. This
opinion is strengthened by the
survey of the water shed which
failed to reveal any evident source
of pollution and by the early out
break of cases in those portions OF
Town lying furtherest from the res
ervoir.
Immediately upon the recognition
OF these facts it was recommended
that the practice OF shutting off the
water be discontinued. This was
done at once, and supplementary
supply having il the meantime been
made available, the pressure has
since been constantly maintained in
the pipes. We believe that this, to-
gether with the thorough flush
ing OF the mains, especially in the
dead ends of the eastern section,
should put an end to the source OF
general infection, and that the APP
pearance of new cases should prac-
ticallY cese by December second.
New cases, already infected, should
OF course be expected until that
time.
Public notice was given on the
same date to boil all water used for
household purposes and we believe
this has been generally observed.
The physicians OF the city have
readily coo perated in this work and
in instructing the infected families
in the measures necessary to pre-
vent further spread of the disease
by contact in the household.
We would offer the following pre-
liminary Recommendations:
l. That pressure be constantly
maintained in the pipes of the city.
2. That the people of the Town be
instructed and urged to continue
the boiling of all water used for
household purposes for at least two
weeks from the date of this report.
3. That provision be made for
supplying disinfectants to all need
ing them and that the disinfection
OF eXcreta be supervised by Town
official.
4. That steps be taken at once to
furnish the Town with supply of
water which shall be at all times adj
equate and sufficient to keep up
pressure in the mains.
5. That the practice, occasionally