THE NEW AGRICULTURE. 143 



river waters would be beneficial, but as to its practicability, I beg 

 leave to refer the subject to the consideration of those whose prov- 

 ince it is to determine such matters." 



The following extract from the New York Tribune refers to the 

 recent epidemic at Plymouth, Penn. : 



" The result of the investigation of the causes of the epidemic at 

 Plymouth, Penn., made by Dr. Cyrus Edson and Dr. James B. 

 Taylor, of the Board of Health, assisted by the chemist of the 

 Board, Dr. Edward W. Martin, will be reported to the Board as 

 soon as the analysis of water taken from the Susquehanna River 

 where it flows past the town from a mountain stream, from wells, 

 and from mines in the vicinity, are completed. The investigating 

 physicians went to Plymouth last Wednesday and returned on 

 Saturday. Dr. Edson yesterday told a Tribune reporter what 

 they saw and what conclusions they had arrived at. He said: 



" The fever prevailing at Plymouth is one of the most interest- 

 ing epidemics that we have ever had in this country. The great 

 majority of the cases have been caused by one case of typhoid 

 fever. That case has inoculated between 700 and 1,000 cases 

 almost simultaneously all within the period between March 2(> 

 and April 1. No doubt the infection was spread by the water, 

 though other causes assisted. The town was just ripe for it. The 

 streets were filthy, and the place altogether in bad condition. 

 The systems of the people were in a condition that made them easy 

 victims to the disease. They had been drinking water polluted 

 with sewage. On March 2G a new supply of water was received 

 from a mountain stream which had been polluted by the dejections 

 of a typhoid fever patient, who was sick in a house near the 

 stream. They were thrown on the snow within a few feet of this 

 water course. The snow melted and flowed into the stream, the 

 water of which, being released by the melting of the ice that had 



