108 m'laughlin. 



Islands and is now being expended in drilling artesian wells in the prov- 

 inces which have suffered most from cholera. 



The itineraries of the well-drilling outfits are made out according to 

 the recommendations of the Bureau of Health. The object lesson given 

 b}' the Insular Government in drilling artesian wells successfully has had 

 its effect on some of the more progressive provinces and several pro- 

 vincial boards have bought or propose to buy well-drilling outfits for 

 furnishing artesian well water wherever feasible within their provinces. 



The water supply in the majority of the provincial towns and harrios 

 is still derived from sources easily infected, such as rivers, streams, 

 ponds, pools, and shallow wells. The best of these wells should be 

 selected and the others closed. If the water of the wells selected is of 

 doubtful quality, it may be treated with permanganate of potash or 

 boiled, and then issued under guard, with an absolute prohibition of the 

 use of water from any other source. If the water is taken from a river 

 every effort should be made to prevent pollution of the stream. There 

 should be absolute prohibition of bathing or washing of clothes in the 

 stream, and the people should be advised to boil all water before 

 using it. 



2. DISPOSAL OF F^CES. 



The demonstration of the presence of bacilli carriers shows us that 

 the defecations of the apparently healthy may be dangerous, so that we 

 must not only dispose of in a sanitary manner the stools of those actually 

 sick with cholera, but also make safe disposal of the stools of the entire 

 population. 



In large cities, with sewer systems and flush closets, this part of the 

 problem is easy of solution, but in Manila, and to a greater extent in 

 the provinces, it presents great difficulties because of the habits of the 

 people and certain peculiarities of climate and topography. 



The Philippine village and town are usually poor, and expensive 

 systems of disposal of waste is out of the question. The simple pit, used 

 as a closet, where the stools are covered by lime or fresh earth, is effective 

 during the dry season, or, when situated on high ground, is satisfactory 

 in the wet one. In low, marshy districts, during the rainy season, the 

 pit is unsatisfactory, and a pail system, or some simple modification 

 thereof, is probably most satisfactory. A disinfecting solution should be 

 furnished householders and all persons required to deposit their dejections 

 into this solution. 



3. HOUSE-TO-HOUSE INSPECTION. 



House-to-house inspection is very important and if carefully done the 

 cases are discovered early and the house may be quarantined before 

 contacts have had a chance to scatter. To be effective it should be done 

 at least once daily. 



