1890.] RAFTER AND MALLORY—ENDEMIC OF TYPHOID FEVER. 65 
Mr. J. E. Putnam said he had learned that an instrument, similar 
in principle to the audiometer which he described at the meeting 
of March 24, had lately been invented in Germany, ‘and was in use for 
testing the hearing of recruits for the German army. 
The following paper was read by Dr. M. L. MAutory: 
THE RECENT ENDEMIC OF TYPHOID FEVER AT SPRING- 
WATER, N. Y.,. CONSIDERED WITH SPECIAL REFER- 
ENCE TO ITS CAUSE, AND THE CONTAMINA- 
TION OF THE ROCHESTER WATER 
SELPP IL: WTC HME RE - 
SULT THEREFROM.* 
By Geo. W. RAFTER AND M. L. MALLORY. 
Springwater village is situated in a valley of the same name, two 
and one-half miles south of Hemlock lake, and the unusual prevalence 
of any infectious disease there is of interest and importance to the 
people of Rochester, not only because this village is wholly within 
the Hemlock lake drainage area, but further, because it is situated 
directly on the main influent stream to the lake. This fact of itself, 
’ with the present understanding of the cause and distribution of zymotic 
disease, is a sufficient justification tor a careful study, such as in the 
present case we have attempted to make. 
The Springwater valley, at the village, is nearly two thousand feet 
in width, with the village of about 600 population mostly at or near the 
foot of the hill on the east side. The main inlet stream to Hemlock 
lake flows near the foot of the west bluff, and includes on its course, in 
what may be taken as the village limits, three millponds with the neces- 
sary headraces and tailraces, as shown on the map accompanying this 
report. These millponds furnish power for two grist-mills and two 
saw-mills, though at the upper pond little or nothing is done at the 
present time. 
The Lime-Kiln Gull creek flows on the east side of the valley, and 
for a portion of the way directly in the main street of the village. This 
is a living stream, although in dry weather there is no flow on the surface 
through a portion of the village, by reason of the water sinking into the 
porous gravel forming its bed and flowing underneath the surface. This 
creek also further receives a number of small streams or gulls flowing 
down directly through the village from the east hill as is clearly shown 
on the map. 
*This paper is the substance of a report made to the Chief Engineer of the Rochester Water 
Works. 
5, Proc, Rocu. ACAD. OF Sc., Vol. 1, Sept. 1890. 
