272 ROCHESTER ACADEMY OF SCIENCE. [March 14, 



this country, ten years later, leading to the organization of state 

 boards of health, and enabling us repeatedly to defy and baffle the 

 approach of the most destructive epidemic of modern times, origin- 

 ated in the awful experiences of the southern rebellion. Thus we 

 profit by the hard experience of our ancestors. 



The recent epidemic of typhoid fever in the city of Buffalo is 

 noteworthy as an instance in which nearly, if not all, the data neces- 

 sary for a complete history, as to its cause, its progress and its 

 cessation, were collected and studied on the spot and at the time by 

 competent scientific observers. Such a history, I have no doubt, will 

 ultimately be furnished from official sources. 



A brief visit to the city of Buffalo at the height of the epidemic 

 afforded me the opportunity of learning most of the facts presented 

 in this account, from officers of the Department of Health, from a 

 number of leading physicians and prominent citizens. Some of the 

 gentlemen have kindly furnished additional information since the 

 cessation of the epidemic. 



A clear comprehension of the cause of this outbreak requires 

 some knowledge of the following facts. The waters of Lake Erie 

 flow northward through the Niagara river. On the eastern bank of 

 this river and at its origin lies the city. The main water-supply of 

 the city is derived from the river at a point almost opposite Fort 

 Porter. Just below the Fort is the pumping station from which a 

 tunnel extends under the river, terminating at "the crib," which 

 protects the inlet, and is situated near the middle of the stream. 

 Near the eastern shore, at Bird Island, another inlet communicates 

 with the tunnel. (A diagram was exhibited and explained.) The 

 reservoir is of small area and is not depended upon for storage 

 purposes, but rather to equalize the pressure maintained by the 

 pumping engines, which are driven without intermission. The daily 

 consumption averages about seventy-five million gallons. The 

 distributing mains are so constructed that a direct distribution from 

 the pumping station is secured, while but a small part of the water 

 ever enters the reservoir. The circulation in the mains is therefore 

 necessarily and constantly active. The inlet is approximately opposite 

 the middle of the city on a north and south line. A large area 

 of the southern part of the city, embracing Buffalo creek, the 

 Hamburg canal and the city ship canal leading from the coal, 

 lumber and railway docks, discharges its sewage into the river above 

 the inlet. As the current is rapid, the sewage is carried down along 



