202 SADDLE AND CAMP 



flammation. Microscopic examination of the 

 intestinal contents revealed immense numbers 

 of coccidia in various stages of development. 



There were many theories as to the source of 

 infection, but the one generally accepted, and 

 undoubtedly the true one, was this: The Jor- 

 dan River is the depository of Salt Lake City 

 sewage. Near the point where it empties into 

 the lake it spreads out into a wide and shallow 

 mouth. The season had been an unusually dry 

 one, the river was low, and wide mud areas had 

 been left partially uncovered and strewn with 

 sewage upon which large numbers of ducks 

 were constantly feeding. 



The fact that ducks fly long distances in a 

 few hours probably accounts for the fact that 

 many ducks were dying in other sections, north 

 and south of the Great Salt Lake. If this was 

 in fact the source of infection, the remedy is 

 undoubtedly to dredge the channel near the 

 mouth of the Jordan. This would carry all 

 sewage directly into the lake, instead of spread- 

 ing it over the mud flats, as at present. 



Heart and Button were fat and frisky and in 

 splendid shape when I saddled Heart, packed 

 Button, and turned northward, en route to 

 Idaho and Wyoming. My course took me di- 

 rectly through Salt Lake City and Ogden. Og- 



