EXPERIMENTAL METHODS AS APPLIED TO WATER- 

 AND SEWAGE-WORKS FOR LARGE COM- 

 MUNITIES* 



GEORGE W. FULLER. 



THAT progress means advance in knowledge and the gradual 

 transition of information from the unknown to the known is of 

 course a truism. The manner by which progress is made in different 

 lines of work varies widely. The experimental method as applied 

 to the teaching of science in educational institutions has been of 

 great benefit, and the application in a more systematic manner 

 than formerly of the so-called "cut and try" method of the early 

 inventors has resulted in more substantial progress in many mechan- 

 ical and industrial lines. By the man of affairs this advance in 

 knowledge is referred to as additional experience. It is not the 

 purpose of this paper to attempt an analysis of the manner by 

 which knowledge in general is advanced, but to refer somewhat 

 briefly as a matter of record to the way in which there have been 

 solved various sanitary problems which a quarter of a century ago, 

 for financial or other reasons, seemed out of question. 



It is fitting on this occasion that this topic should be touched 

 upon, owing to the influence exerted upon this line of work by the 

 two institutions with which Professor Sedgwick has been most 

 actively connected in recent years, viz., the Massachusetts State 

 Board of Health and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. 

 The former has for years been the foremost among the state boards 

 of health of America in leading local authorities to improve their 

 water- and sewage- works in an efficient and economical manner. 

 Its influence has extended, not only to other states, but also to 

 numerous places throughout the civilized world. The Massachusetts 

 Institute of Technology has exerted a less direct influence ; but, as a 

 training school for many who have taken a prominent part in improv- 

 ing water- and sewage-works, this institution and a number of its 



*Received for publication March 24, 1906. 



