some probably contribute to it which are far enough away to be in proximity to cultivated land and homesteads. This is a possible source of contamination. The topography of the land there is also such that abrupt hillsides form occasional courses down which severe rains form currents of surface water. This is notably the case on one farm, Mr. Smith's, where night soil taken from the village is composted and used as a fertilizer. A corn field so treated last summer was in the line of contributing to such a current, which by a short course ran direct to the brook.

As the laboratory analysis of water taken from the brook just below this point showed the presence of bacilli or germs that occur only in fecal matter it appears probable that here was a definite source of contamination. If intestinal bacteria reached the water we well know that typhoid germs, which are intestinal, would if present also enter the water. We also know that these germs deposited in soil remain there, living and growing, for an indefinite length of time. So it is fair to infer that all things considered here was a source of infection of the brook.

The springs which find in this brook their natural outlet might also bring from their source, possibly near habitations and sources of pollution, undesirable additions to the water. I cannot otherwise account for the results of laboratory examination. The num ber of dwellings on this small water shed are however few and it may be possible in the summer time to locate any springs near to them.

There is a little but constant stream, spring-fed, which runs beside the road and under Mr. Lafferty's barn and soon after into the brook. This is one of the spring streams which is now visible and to be remedied.

I would recommend:

1 That the removal of night soil from Camden be controlled so that none of it can be taken for use on land above the reservoir. I would at least prevent its use on land that slopes towards possible tributaries of the brook, but it would be better to keep it off the entire region, because of the chance of infecting a tributary spring. I suggested to Dr. Borland ways by which your municipality can control this.

2 That the streamlet which flows under the Lafferty barn be diverted so as not to go near it, and back to the rear of the lot on which it stands.

I am not in possession of facts to make a definite recommendation regarding other springs and their effluents, but it seems to me that it would be wise to search this small water shed in detail for them and any possible source of their defilement, and removal thereof.

3 Emmons' book flows rapidly through most of its course, but where obstructions impede much light silt, no doubt of vegetable matter, collects readily on the bottom. It would be wise to clear it of obstruction which to some degree exists.

In addition to the brook, water is collected from some springs and runs directly to the main below the reservoir. These are so located in a secluded place far from habitations as to be free from apparently any chance of contamination, and if still larger use were made of this available source no doubt the main would be so filled as to maintain a pressure equal to that now had from the reservoir. However, I do not see why the brook cannot be made a pure source, and the general use of this water ought to supplant all village wells, most of which in the loose soil of that locality stand good chance of contamination.

Very respectfully,

F. C. CURTIS

CITY OF LOCKPORT

Water Supply

To the State Board of Health:

LOCKPORT, February 8, 1898

Unless you exert your authority and stop the condition of things existing in Lockport, half the city will be down with typhoid fever before spring. There have been six deaths from it during the past 24 hours, and it is said there are 150 cases in the city. This trouble is all due to the emptying of several sewers into the canal above the intake pipe of the city water works. The board of health and common council take no action in the matter.

Yours truly,

TAXPAYER

ALBANY, February 11, 1898

CHAMPLIN F. BUCK, Health officer, Lockport, N. Y.:

Dear Sir. I enclose herewith a copy of an anonymous communication calling attention to certain alleged unsanitary conditions in your city, and desire to state that while it is the policy of this department to ignore anonymous complaints, the statements made in this letter warrant my submitting it to you for investigation.

It is requested that you inform this department whether or not some 150 cases of typhoid fever exists in your city as stated, and if a number of cases of the disease do exist, whether they can be attributed to the cause given in the complaint.

Very respectfully,

BAXTER T. SMELZER,

Secretary

LOCKPORT, February 14, 1898.

BAXTER T. SMELZER, M. D., Albany, N. Y.:

Dear Sir.-Your letter of the 11th inst. at hand. There are and have been for the past month quite a number of cases of fever in this city, but when anyone says that there are 150 cases of typhoid fever, I should like to have him prove it, or at any rate sign his name to his communication.

Since receiving your letter I have interviewed 18 physicians in the city and this number will include almost all, and from their report there are 45 cases of typhoid fever at present. I think, however, that 50 would be nearer correct, as some of the doctors say that they get well in two or three weeks. There are some malarial cases which may be confounded with typhoid, and I think some of these have been reported as typhoid.

Six physicians have no cases; five physicians have two cases; two physicians have three cases; one physician has six cases; two physicians have seven cases; one physician has 11 cases; one physician has 16 cases; total, 45 cases.

With regard to cause, well water is the cause attributed by most who give any cause. No cause or don't know is the answer given by some. The open winter and unsettled state of the weather is also probably the best reason given. One case is attributed to milk from a cow which had been watered with the city water. I cannot bring myself to believe that milk can be infected in this manner, but I understand that on this point authorities differ.

There were several cases of typhoid fever a year ago and yet there was no excitement. Our water supply then was in awful shape owing to the enlarging of the canal, but this year we are in better shape, but everything is not as it should be, nor as we want it, but neither the board of health nor the common council have as yet been able to determine the best manner of improving it. There are several plans under consideration.

These reports have been exaggerated as my figures plainly show, and with the exception of the cow case, no case is attributed

directly to our water supply. Thanking you for forwarding me a copy of the anonymous letter, of which I had heard a rumor, Believe me, respectfully,

CHAMPLIN FLETCHER BUCK,

Health officer

ALBANY, February 16, 1898

CHAMPLIN FLETCHER BUCK, M. D., Health officer, Lockport, N. Y.:

Dear Sir-I am in receipt of your communication of the 14th inst. reporting the result of your investigations in connection with an alleged epidemic of typhoid fever in your city.

Taking 50 as the minimum number of cases of typhoid fever now existing in your city, this Board is warranted in urging upon your board, and you as its executive officer, the necessity of studying as to the probable cause for such a great number of

cases.

It is recommended that you or some other competent physician or person under your instructions, ascertain the following facts in connection with the different cases of typhoid fever:

1st. Date of sickness and location of residence.

2d. Source of water used by patient.

3d. If water was used from well, state location of well and whether used by more than one family.

4th. Location of privy and distance from well where water is used from same, also as to whether the disposition of kitchen slops, etc., is such as to pollute water of well.

After securing the history of each case separately a study should be made of all, with the view to determine whether a number of the cases were apparently due to the same source, such being the case, it would be well for your board to secure the services of a competent sanitary engineer to go over the ground in order to advise some plan whereby the unsanitary conditions could be remedied.

If upon investigation it was found that the public supply of potable water was polluted by sewage or any other cause, your board should urge upon the municipality or corporation furnish