New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-17
DROUTH CAUSED TYPHOID.
Decayed Matter Entered Water
Mains When Rain Finally Came.
ONLY BROOKLYN ESCAPED
Boroughs Using Croton Water
All Show Increase Following
Breaking of Dry Spell.

Figures given out by the Health Depart
ment yesterday show that beginning about
the raiddle of June there was an unusual
increase in the number of typhoid fever
cases reported in the Borough of Manhat-
tan. The sharp rise followed the heavy
rains which came after the long period OF
drouth. and it is believed that considerable
surface water carrying decayed matter en-
tered the mains.
The unusual outbreak followed a record
low period which had extended over many
months. In fact. the statistics Of the Health
Department showed that for five years
there had been no better year in the sup
preston OF typhoid.
The sudden outbreak began about June
H. when twenty cases were reported IN
Manhattan. There also was an increase IN
The Bronx most Of the cases developing In
that portion of the borough supplied with
Croton water. In the three other boroughs
there has been no increase in the last four
weeks: in fact, there has been decrease
in Brooklyn
Il; is because of This phase of the situa-
ton that the typhoid rise in Manhattan is
there has been no milk epidemic.
In the week ended June II there were
forty-four cases OF typhoid fever reported
IN Manhattan. as against twenty-five III
the corresponding week in 1910. For the
week ended June "a there were thirty-seven
cases. as against eleven in the previous
year. making the increase triple one. The
week ended July showed thirty-hve cases.
as against nineteen for the same time last
year. and the week ended July indicated
twenty-four cases. as against nineteen IN
1910. The total number for the four weeks
was 40 as against seventy-four in 1910.
'rhe average total for that length OF time
for the last Ave years is seventy-seven.
The main distribution OF the cases was In
The 18th. 18th and 22d wards. There were
thirty-two cases in the 18th Ward. twenty
four in the 18th Ward and forty-four In the
I'd Ward. But while the 10th and 22d
wards showed the greatest proportional in
crease in most Of the other wards Of Man
haitian the figures show also an excess or
the normal average. II was said that the
fever. however, was Of mild form.
In February. 1910 there was an outbreak
in the 18th Ward. This month is ordinarily
one Of the lowest in the year. After an in
vestigation il was found that Of the forty
eight cases reported during that month
forty-one had consumed milk supplied by
one concern The source OF infection was
finally traced to a typhoid carrier" on a
farm in Vermont which supplied the COM
pany with milk. The supply was cut on
end the outbreak came to an abrupt end.
According to the Health Department,
ind 81 ne 10
the disease. In 1910 barely per cent of the
total cases were from milk infection, and
as for water infection, It is said that the
meteorological reports are often unusually
good during the month preceding some gen
eral increase in the number Of cases. Flies,
except I'm the matter Of a few family infec-
tons have been an Insignificant cause. In
1910 there were no infections traced 10
sherhsh. Contact. direct or mediate. is un-
doubtedly responsible for most cases, it is
said.
To reduce the chance Of an infection to a
minimum the department recommends the
use OF boiled water, and all milk the hand
ling OF which is not absolutely beyond
suspicion should he pasteurized or boiled.
All food supplies should be protected
against flies Bathing at all beaches which
have sewers emptying IN their immaculate
vicinity should be strictly avoided.
II is expected there will be an increased
number OF cases when the summer vaca-
tonists begin returning 10 the city But
this increase is rarely ever shown unit
| the latter part of August. and from ther
on until October. While the cases gener
ally develop in this city the major par
are contracted in the summer resorts where
strict precaution IS not taken to protect TN
milk food and water supplies.
In the majority of cases the Health DE
partment says that it is probably because
the system is run down and below par tina
the disease is contracted. Therefore vaca
tionists should avoid all ndigestible food
green fruit, etc, which may set up tndiges
lion or other intestinal trouble. and so rem
der the system more aole to withstand IN