WATERS OF PUBLIC WELLS AND SPRINGS AND THEIR 
RELATION TO TYPHOID FEVER. 
The waters of shallow wells have been regarded by many observers 
as a means of conveying the infection of typhoid fever. There are 
many shallow wells in the District of Columbia used by the public. 
Therefore we made a particular study of this subject. 
Each well was visited and its condition, as well as the surroundings, 
noted so far as they had any bearing upon the problem. As it is gen- 
erally recognized that one of the chief sources of infection of well 
water is from the surface, the condition of the well and the possibili- 
ties of such contamination are recorded in each instance. 
It is also possible for wells to become polluted from broken sewers 
and from seepage from near by privies. Therefore the relation of 
each well to the nearest sewer and the number of privies in the neigh- 
borhood are stated. 
Other data which obviously have an important bearing on this sub- 
ject, such as the depth of water in the well, have been collected and 
conveniently arranged for comparison and study. 
In our epidemiological studies we conducted special inquiries into 
the use of well water by the patient during the thirt}^ days prior to 
onset of illness. This information has been so arranged that it may be 
seen at a glance just how many of the cases that occurred during the 
summer in the District of Columbia drank the water of any particular 
well. 
Samples of water from every well in the District were submitted to 
the usual chemical and bacteriological examination. The results of 
these laboratory studies have been arranged and correlated wdth the 
other data. Finally, a spot map (No. 8) of all the cases occurring in 
tne District was made, including the locations of all the public wells, 
in order to see whether there was any geographic grouping of the cases 
about any particular well or spring. As a result of these studies, the 
details of which are given in the follomng pages, we may say that no 
relation between the drinking of well water and the occurrence of 
typhoid fever could be demonstrated. We are of the opinion, how- 
ever, that the use of the water of the shallow wells of this locality for 
drinking purposes may be a menace to the health of the community, 
and m this opinion we are sustained, not only by our own observa- 
tions, but also by the conclusions of all who have ever had occasion 
to investigate this subject. 
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