232 PROCEEDINGS OF THE INDIANA ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. 



would be neeessarj' on higher ground. The next step is to establish, not too 

 far from the house and well, a pri\'^- and its vault or perhaps a cheap privy 

 standing flat on the ground. The stable and bam are erected nearby, instead 

 of being placed at a distance. Li\'ing at this place now begins. All goes well 

 for a few years. It is not long, however, until there is more or less complaint 

 of summer nausea and diarrhea. Indigestion, too, appears, despite the farmers 

 outdoor life and ample food. The doctor is called, tonics and digestives are 

 given and temporary- relief is secured. If warned concerning drainage and 

 water supply and if the warning is heeded, the cause of the illness is removed 

 and health improved. Otherwise the next summer finds matters not im- 

 proved, probably worse. JMnally typhoid having been bidden, obeys the 

 call. The susceptible have the disease and the weak are borne to their last 

 resting places. A measure of immunity is secured by those who survive, and 

 those who did not have the disease were probably immune. Had the well 

 been driven in the front j'ard, had an earth closet been built and sanitarily 

 conducted, had the family properly cared for their garbage and household 

 slops, had the bam been built at a good distance from the house, had the 

 house been well abo^■e the ground with a dry. clean cellar beneath, typhoid 

 Avould not have found there a <-ongenial soil." 



Realizing the importance of hygiene, and the growing demand for experts 

 trained in matters pertaining to the public health, Purdue University, in 1895, 

 established a Department of Sanitary Science. Aside from the required 

 general subjects the junior students attending the University are offered 

 courses in technical chemistry, microscopic technique, and biologj' of water 

 supplies, with an elective in chemistry or biology. The seniors are given 

 organic and physiological chemistry, bacteriology and a general course of 

 lectures in sanitary subjects, such as the germ theory of disease and its 

 practical applications, vaccination and immunity, the pollution and purifica- 

 tion of water supplies, methods of sewage disposal, theory and the practice 

 of sand and mechanical filtration of sewage and water, etc. These senior 

 studies are required as well in the pre-medical course, which was also estab- 

 lished in 1895. 



The first year (1895-96) bacteriology was taken by eight students, six 

 being regular seniors from the science, pre-medical and agricultural courses, 

 and two graduate students who were taking special work in sanitary science. 

 The second year the iuiml)er was six, one graduating from the regular sani- 

 tary science course, the others being science and pre-medical. 



In 1896, the Sanitary Science Department of Purdue issued five bulletins 

 relating to the Public Health: 



No. 1. The Nature of Sanitary Science and Its Value to the State. 



No. 2. Some Sanitan,^ Aspects of Milk Supplies and Dairying. 



No. 3. On the Purifications of Water Supplies of Cities and Towns. 



No. 4. Typhoid Fever in Indiana and Its Possible Connection with 

 the Water Supplies. 



No. 5. Sewage Disj^osal of Cities and Towns. 



