YETEHmARY HYGIENE 



CHAPTEE I 



WATEE 



The supply of water to a community is a problem which has 

 for centuries compelled public attention, and in the hands 

 of the Eomans was more liberally dealt with than at any 

 subsequent period. The part played by water in the pro- 

 duction of disease has, on the other hand, only within 

 comparatively recent years received any serious attention. 



It seems pretty clearly proved that people cannot drink 

 with impunity the polluted water of wells or rivers, and a 

 great deal of our sanitary legislation in recent years has 

 been directed to the supply of a pure source for towns and 

 cities. Yet the source of all water is rain, and it is quite 

 clearly established that rain as it reaches the earth is 

 practically free from organic and inorganic matter. The 

 subsequent organic impurity of water must, therefore, be 

 owing to the soiling of the earth by the agency of men and 

 animals, but especially the former. 



If rain yielded all the water required by a community, 

 the simplest precautions would prevent it becoming mixed 

 with filth ; but no hamlet, let alone city, can depend upon 

 the direct rainfall for its water supply, it has to be 

 supplemented by that from rivers and wells, and the 

 rain in its passage to either of these may undergo serious 

 pollution. 



Digitized by Microsoft® 



