23-4 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan., 



fatal diseases caused by drinking impure water. Some of our 

 towns, naturally favorable to health and longevity, have suffered 

 fearfully from the prevalence of diseases evidently caused by 

 neglect of hygienic laws. Hence, in the very constitution of 

 most of our Rural Improvement Associations, in specif ymg their 

 purposes and aims, I have placed prominently, '-the promotion of 

 public health by securing better hygienic conditions," and many 

 sanitary improvements have already been made, especially in the 

 matter of drainage, removal of waste, and guarding wells and 

 water-supplies from impurities. Many wells are found to be 

 vitiated by surface water, fouled by impurities and decomposing 

 substances lying on the ground. 



Dr. Derby says: "A M^ell receives drainage from a circular area, 

 whose diameter is one to three times the depth of the well, vary- 

 ing with the character of the soil. A well twenty feet deep 

 should have no privy, pig-pen, barn-yard, drain, or slops or garbage 

 thrown upon the surface, within thirty feet in any direction." 

 This rule, which gives the minimum distance, is often violated. 

 Col. Waring and most sanitary engineers would make the distance 

 much greater. If the waste water from the kitchen were thrown 

 upon a neiv spot each time till the old place was dry, the sun and 

 air would purify the ground, and though this plan is untidy in 

 appearance, the ivell would not suffer. 



When I tf^ke the liberty of remonstrating with householders as 

 to the proximity of their wells to sources of contamination, I 

 often get the reply: "My father and grandfather used the same 

 well and they were long-lived;" and my answer is: "The longer 

 in use the worse for you ; the more time there has been for con- 

 duits to form from the cess-pool to the well. New wells are not 

 so soon affected, but old ones thus surrounded are more liable to 

 be foul." When asked — "Is not the water in that tumbler clear 

 and pure?" I reply: ^- Apparenili/ it is, but that is no proof oi 

 its purity. The eye and taste cannot detect impurities that may 

 be fatal in their effects. The saline property coming from the 

 kitchen sink may make it more sparkling and agreeable to the 

 taste." In some cases, the well is at the edge of the barn-yard, 

 so as to supply both the stock and the family, or close to the back 

 door, where the slops are habitually thrown near it. Bad water is 

 harmful to all stock, but especially taints the milk of cows. 



The Connecticut State Board of Health report very many cases 

 of typhoid fever and other diseases as traceable to such wells. 



