168 



The Water Supply of Albany. 



remained in obscurity, tracing the same directly to the well, 

 spring, or river waters in use. 



In a recently published communication upon this subject, 

 Dr. Stephen Smith, Health Commissioner of New York 

 city, says : 



" The causation of typhoid fever, though long enveloped 

 in obscurity is now well known. It is one of the so called 

 filth diseases of modern sanitary writers. Its most ordinary 

 exciting cause is air or drinking water befouled with excre- 

 mented matters." 



It is also quite certain that a person suffering from this 

 fever, may himself infect the air of his room or the water 

 which receives his excreta with germs of disease so as to 

 transmit it to others. 



The facts illustrating the origin of typhoid from excre- 

 mental matters in drinking water are now very numerous 

 and very instructive. 



The following examples illustrating the methods of com- 

 municating the fever are presented by Dr. Smith. 



" In a small German settlement in the upper part of 

 the city there was a severe outbreak of dysentery and 

 typhoid fever. A physician, called to attend some of the 

 cases, set to work to find out the cause. On inquiring as 

 to the water supply, he was directed to a spring, on low 

 ground, in the midst of the settlement, so situated as to 

 receive the surface drainage. The water was pure and 

 sparkling to the sight and taste, and was loudly praised by 

 the owner of the spring. A quantity put in a bottle and 

 allowed to stand a few hours threw down a thick sediment 

 of most offensive matter. The people ceased to use the 

 water and the epidemic ceased at once. 



" In a neighboring village typhoid fever broke out and 

 prevailed with great violence in a given locality. Search 

 was then made for the cause, by the attending physician, 

 but in vain. He appealed for aid to the health authorities 



