210 Introduction to the Study of Science 



disease germs introduced accidentally, carelessly, or ignorantly. 

 To prevent disaster from such accidents it is necessary to have 

 dependable protective measures in constant operation. 



VI. WATER AS A CARRIER OF SEWAGE 

 83. Water supply and sewage. One of the gravest dangers 

 to the gathering grounds and the source of a water supply is 

 its possible pollution by human waste matter. Too frequently 

 sewage in large or small quantities is turned into such areas. 

 Communities which depend upon a water supply thus exposed 

 to pollution must provide for its purification or risk several 

 kinds of serious and filthy diseases. The greatest necessity 

 is to dispose completely and effectively of all human waste 

 matter or sewage. With this problem every one is or should 

 be vitally concerned. 



The disposal of sewage strikes at the health and life as well 

 as the happiness of every member of society. It should not be 

 considered as merely a municipal problem, but one that touches 

 every individual ; for only when it is made the active concern 

 of every one can it be satisfactorily and effectively handled. 

 The old-time, easy-going attitude toward the disposal of human 

 waste products, both of the sick and the well, is now generally 

 condemned as intolerable, if not criminal. To endanger human 

 health and life through careless and imperfect disposal of sewage 

 is morally criminal, as poisoning wells is legally criminal. For 

 sewage, as has been proven beyond all question, may transmit 

 the germs of at least five filth diseases, typhoid fever, enteritis, 

 cholera, diarrhea, and dysentery. The germs of these diseases 

 come from those who are or have been victims of the diseases. 

 They are transmitted to healthy persons through the medium 

 of food and water contaminated by sewage. There is no -other 

 medium of transfer, so that if this problem were intelligently 

 met and all human waste completely destroyed or disinfected, 

 the diseases would eventually disappear. 

 There is a twofold problem in the disposal of sewage and waste 



