240 
TYPHOID FEVER IX DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA. 
water, some of wliich is lost by seepage, and some returns to the river 
by leakage through the masomy culverts or aqueducts, or at the 
sluice gates before mentioned. In its course the canal is polluted 
by the sewage of canal-boat crews and by a few privies of lock keepers 
and others. 
From Dam Xo. 7 the North Branch flows on to Patterson Depot, 
where it is joined from the south by Patterson Creek, whose drainage 
area of about 280 square miles is but sparsely populated. Alaska 
and Burlington, with a population of about 200 in the former and 
300 in the latter, are the largest to^vns in its valley. Such records 
as are available indicate that cases of typhoid fever occiu: at both 
these points. 
Augmented by the waters of Patterson Creek, the North Branch 
flows on, and 2 miles below Green Spring unites with the South Branch 
to form the main stream. 
The area drained by the South Branch and its tributaries, though 
exceeding somewhat that drained by the North Branch and its tribu- 
taries, has less than one-tliird the population of the latter and its 
waters are proportionately even less polluted. Rising in Highland 
County, Va., it receives its first serious pollution at Franklin, TV. Va., 
the county seat of Pendleton County. Franklin has a pubhc water 
supply from a mountain spring, but a few wells are also in use. 
Privies are in general use. There are, however, two private sewers 
that lead to the bottoms near the river in the neighborhood of which 
the soil from the privies is deposited, to be washed away by occasional 
floods. 
Cases of typhoid fever occur tlmough the county, though their 
numbers are few so far as may be inferred from the very unsatisfac- 
tory and deficient records available. 
About 35 miles below Franklin is Petersbmg, TV. Va., the county 
seat of Grant County. It was credited with a population of 312 in 
1900. There is no public water supply; wells are depended upon. 
Privies are in general use, some of which are close to the margin of 
a mill race, which also receives a private sewer serving one house. 
All surface drainage of course finds its wav either directlv or bv wav 
of the mill race into the North Branch. Typhoid is of somewhat 
more frequent occurrence here than at Franklin; a few cases occur 
every year. This difference may perhaps be in part accounted for 
by the better water supply at Franklin. 
About 12 miles below Petersbmg is TIoorefield, with a population 
of 460. It is the county seat of Hardy County, TV. Va. It has a 
public water supply pumped from the TIoorefield River above its 
jimction with the South Branch. Privies are in general use, although 
a sewerage system is being put in which will discharge into the river 
below the tovm. No satisfactory data are available for judging the 
