The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1916-08-11
EIGHT NEW CASES
OF FEVER YESTERDAY
Been On Suspect List for
Several Days.
WATER SUPPLY is NOW SAFE
But Precaution of Boiling Water Is
Still Urgcd-Dr. Levy Discusses Ice
Question-Spring Water Not Under
City Observation,


oped in the city yesterday. but this
has not been the occasion of any
alarm on the part of the health au-
thorities, since more than half of
the number, reported have been on
the suspect list for several days, tests
of blood culture taken several days
ago completed yesterday showing the
presence of the disease.
This, in the opinion of the Health
Department, points to the situation
being we'll In hand, measures taken
TO prevent an epidemic OF the fever
having proved effective. The con-
tinued observance of these safeguards
is being maintained. and there is no
reason to believe that any persons
are now becoming infected.
DIR. Levy stated last night that 1t
Is certain that the water supply is
now all right. and has been for sew
eral days. The installation Of the
new plant for purifying the water has
porduced very satisfactory results,
and the daily tests OF the water be-
ing made in the laboratory at the
settling basin shows the water to be
very good.
Making Exhaustive Tests.
So that an absolute test of the
waer may be made, DIR. Levy stated
last night that he had four different
persons making exhaustive tests of
the water, and he expected them to
show the real condition OF the water.
They have not been completed as yet
and It will require several days be-
fore they uan be finished. While
hardly doubt exists as to the pres
ent safety of the water. these tests
are made for positive assurance.
Nevertheless. DR.. Levy still urges
that the individual conanue to use
every possible safeguard against the
disease Keep on boiling the water,
he says. and see that absolute clean
illness on the part OF everybody es-
pecially cooks and persons handling
foods, is maintained. Each person
can do a great deal to prevent ty-
phoid fever from spreading
DIR. Levy declared last night that
II was absolutely necessary for the
people to receive three injections of
the typhoid vaccine to receive the ad-
vantage of the fypmunizing treatment.
Some persons have taken the first
incubation. and let the other two go
BY, thinking 1t unnecessary. The chief
health officer notifies the people that
one treatment has no effect, II being
absolutely necessary that the three In
jections be administered.
For the information of the public
DR.. Levy yesterday gave out the fol-
lowing statements on questions con-
corning the purity Oh ICE anu ho't4HS
spring water:
As To Ice Used In City.
Several inquiries have been received
"a to whether ice is source OF
danger All ice used In Richmond Is
artificial ice, All OF II is made from
water which has been distilled and re-
boiled. which. -of course, kills organ
isms OF every kind which may be
present in the water originally.
hna ts1
the can shows up as cloudy ice. and In
this are nearly ALI the impurities
originally contained in the entire can.
For the above reasons ice is prac-
ticallv certain To be entirely free from
any harmful bacteria, and IL as
further prccaution, only perfectly
clear ice is used for putting into
drinks. ice may he regarded as alb
solutely safe.
r---.- Tire One Danger. ~ =
The one danger from ice is hand
ling by persons who may be typhoid
carriers. This applies only to the
very outside OF the ice, and hence is
no danger. provided the ice Is not
placed by such a person directly in
ones glass, as at a soda fountain, or
In ones water cooler.
/ therefore advise every person TO
see that member OF the family puts
he used, and the hands Of the person
who attends 10 this should be thor
oughly washed Immediately before
handling the ice.
For ice which goes into glasses of
water. cold tea, etc, II Is easy enough
&C. manage without touching the Jumps
at all with the hands, bowl of clear.
cracked Ice, washed under a faucet
and put into glasses with a spoon or
su~~- tongs Is entirely free from
danger
As to Water From Springs
Another question frequently asked
ss whether water from the various
springs about Richmond should he
boiled before using for drinking pur-I
poses. The Richmond Health Depart
ment has not had sufficient force to
keep all these springs under observa-
ton and control. or to examine
samples OF water from them.
From what / have seen OF these
springs they would appear to be safe.
but any one who wishes to take every
possible precaution at the present
time will boil all water used for drink
irg purposes. This is an extraordinary
rrecaution, and feel that 1t is scarce
~ necessary. yet. as Just stated. the
De rson who wishes to take no risk. no
r7atter how small, Will take this pre-
caution.
Girl PARALYSIS Victim Dies