HEALTH. 69 



versally admitted; that is, that impure water may also 

 cause malarial fevers, aud not only may but does fre- 

 quently so cause them to a greater extent than any other 

 one factor. 



If a certain place is known to have malaria in the air 

 during the summer months because of conditions which do 

 not exist in the winter season, all danger would be consid- 

 ered as passed so soon as the cold winter set in. And just 

 here is where many a serious mistake has been made. Be- 

 cause the winter air does not contain the malarial germs, 

 that is no proof that they are not still dangerously near. 

 The water of that contaminated spot holds within itself 

 the seeds of disease, and these are just as active in winter 

 as in summer. Impure water is always dangerous, and 

 fevers induced by its use are more fatal than others. 



Those who drink water coming from marshes, whether 

 in Florida or elsewhere, will be subject to fevers at all 

 times of the year, while those who are careful to drink 

 only pure, clean water, even in malarial districts, very 

 rarely have fever outside of the late summer or autumn, 

 and then the water is not responsible. This has been re- 

 peatedly proven in all parts of the world, and is a fact well 

 worthy of note, dwell where we may. 



In respect to her water-supply Florida as a general rule 

 is favored, as she is in most other things. In most locali- 

 ties, whether drawn from lake, river, spring, or well, her 

 waters are "soft," that is, destitute of lime, and for all 

 purposes as pleasant to use as rain-water. In a few less 

 favored spots, however, the well-water is "hard," being 

 charged with lime and magnesia, an excellent drink for 

 growing children, who need these bone-making materials, 

 but hardly so desirable in other ways. 



There is a difference in "hard" water wells. Some are 

 charged with magnesia and sulphate of lime, and others 



