WAR SERVICE OF MEDICAL PROFESSION 283 



demonstrations showing the practicability of treating success- 

 fully the raw water of the Seine. The results of these trials 

 were published in the " Revue d' Hygiene," 1918, and reprints 

 of this article proved of great assistance in obtaining the ready 

 cooperation of French municipalities for the chlorination of 

 their public water supplies. 



As one area after another was taken over for billetting and 

 training American troops, complete sanitary surveys were made, 

 including a study of the quantity and quality of all available 

 water supplies. Until the results of the survey were known 

 and posted all water was treated as if contaminated and was 

 chlorinated. 



In the front areas, where it was impossible to deliver safe 

 water at water points for men and animals, by means of large 

 motor trucks, recourse had to be had J:o the Lyster bag. Each 

 organization was equipped with these bags and the necessary 

 bleaching powder, and a water detail, consisting of one or 

 more men of the command, was in charge of the water puri- 

 fication. Satisfactory results were not usually obtained unless 

 the water detail consisted of men permanently assigned to this 

 work under the direction of the surgeon of the command. 



The process of chlorination, when used with reasonable care, 

 either on a large or small scale, is one of the most successful 

 methods of purifying water, and its adoption for military ex- 

 peditions is a matter of the greatest importance for the health 

 of the troops. Had it been possible to use it everywhere as 

 planned we would have escaped the relatively small amount of 

 typhoid fever and dysentery which did occur in France. The 

 difficulties of transportation under war conditions on the 

 western front were such that it was impossible at all times to 

 have adequate supplies of bleaching powder in the hands of 

 the troops, and they were thus compelled to drink whatever 

 water was available. Early in 1918 the system of supply was 

 changed so that bleaching powder was issued with the rations 

 of the man. This was a decided improvement, but lack of 

 trained personnel and the inexperience of many of the troops 



