102 Bacteria in Relation to Country Life 



bacterial content of the water. On the other hand, the 

 determination of the number of Bacillus coli and, per- 

 haps, also of other characteristic intestinal bacteria, 

 would probably show definitely the extent of pollution. 

 It will be seen, therefore, that topographical, chemical, 

 and bacteriological examinations may each serve to 

 throw some light on the problem. The topographical 

 examination must show whether danger of pollution 

 exists, the chemical and bacteriological examinations 

 must show whether pollution has taken place. 



That thoroughgoing inspections of the water-supplies 

 are a good investment of time and money is evidenced 

 by the data on the cost of typhoid epidemics, as collected 

 by Mason. According to him, the cost of the typhoid 

 epidemic at Plymouth, Pennsylvania, was: 



Loss of wages for those who recovered $30,020 80 



Care of the sick 67,100 17 



Yearly earnings of those who died 18,419 52 



The epidemic started on account of the improper 

 protection of the water-supplies from the wastes of a 

 single typhoid fever patient; and the figures just cited 

 are eloquent as a condemnation of municipal negligence. 



