[Illustration: Actinurus Neptunius.]
[Illustration: Navicula Baltica.]
[Illustration: Monosty la Quadridentata.]
[Illustration: Rotifer Vulgaris.]
[Illustration: Stylonchia Pustulata.]
I did not examine the first sample of water with the microscope. In
the water of the second bottle I found but one kind of infusoria,
_viz._, stylonchia pustulata, but they were numerous. In the water
sent on Thursday I found the others named, but few in number. In both
samples of water there was but a small quantity of mineral matter, a
few crystals of CaCO₃. The water was somewhat cloudy and the suspended
particles were evidently of vegetable origin. I have not adopted any
standard in judging water for drinking purposes.
As yet none has been found having a scientific basis. But let us see
how this water would be rated by some of the standards of men who have
justly distinguished themselves by their labor in water analysis. The
Grenzzahlen limitary numbers are of E. Reichardt, Kubel, and Tiemann
and Fischer.
One litre (1,000 cubic centimetres).
===================================================================
| | KUBEL AND |
| REICHARDT. | TIEMANN. | FISCHER.
---------------+--------------+--------------------+---------------
Nitric acid | | |
anhyd. | 4 milligramm.| 5 to 15 milligramm.| 27 milligramm.
Chlorine |28 ” |20 to 30 ” | 35 ”
Lime (CaO.) | | |112 ”
Magnesia (MgO.)| | | 40 ”
Degrees of | | |
hardness | | |
(German) |18 ” |18 to 20 ” | 17 ”
===================================================================
This water contains in milligrammes per litre: Nitric Acid Anhyd.
10.72; Chlorine, 92.18; Lime, 14.8; Magnesia, 41; degrees of hardness
(German), 20.596.
The limitary quantity of organic matter in 100 c. c. should not exceed
that necessary for the deoxidation of K Mn 04 in 2 c. c. of the 1-100
normal solution. This is given by Fresenius. For 100 c. c. of this
water 3.11 c. c. of the 1-100 normal solution was required. The organic
matter in the water is considerable, yet is no doubt variable in
quantity. On account of the quantity of the organic matter, by exposure
to the air doubtless many other species of infusoria would be formed.
The water is hard and by chemical technologists would be condemned, as
with them 10 degrees German, or 12.5 degrees English, is the limit.
The ammonia is in a mere trace, yet accurately estimated as given.
Nearly all rain water contains more. I have estimated the chlorine
in water sent on Thursday last (by the volumetric method), and found
0.05992 gramme chlorine in one litre. This makes a difference of 0.0322
gramme chlorine as found in one litre of the water of the first bottle
sent. In what way could there be such a great increase or rather
decrease of the chlorides? Are there any privy vaults or slaughter
houses near the source of the water? May I ask where this water was
obtained?
In a letter of March 12, 1880, Prof. E. T. Cox gives the following: “I
fully believe that whenever any form of disease rages as an epidemic
in any locality, it is due in a large measure to water pollution. The
three streams of subterranean water beneath Indianapolis, flow from
northeast to southwest. Wells that are supplied from the upper water,
contain more and more chloride of sodium (common salt) as you go to the
south part of the city, and this is absolute proof of sewer-pollution,
and all the well water from the first and second seams is absolutely
dangerous, and its use should be prohibited. The lower stratum is safe
if the upper seams are shut off from it. When water works were first
contemplated at Indianapolis, I was called upon for information, and
had my advise been taken, you would now have the best possible water,
instead of water of doubtful character, to use the mildest term.” On
the 20th of March a sample of water was obtained from the water works
for examination. The analysis showed in one litre,
Total solids, .985 gramme
Organic and volatile, .08 ”
Chlorine, .055 ”
Fifty centimetres of the water required fourteen drops of the
permanganate of potash solution to render it permanently red. The same
amount of distilled water required but eight drops. The microscope,
with a lens of 100 diameters, revealed considerable vegetable matter.
Inasmuch as White river is used by the water works as a source of
supply when the water in their wells get low, and also in time of fire
in the city, it was thought advisable to ascertain the condition of the
river water. Therefore, on April 30, 1880, a sample was drawn from the
river at middle of the iron bridge at the foot of Washington street.
One litre contained:
Total solid constituents .36 gramme.
Organic and volatile matter .032 ”
Chlorine .105 ”
Free ammonia .00072 ”
Albuminoid ammonia .00048 ”
Fifty cubic centimetres of this water required thirty-six drops of the
permanganate of potash solution to render it permanently red. The same
amount of distilled water required but eight drops of said solution to
become permanently red.
The microscope revealed sand, clay, legs, and other parts of insects,
foreign matter of many kinds, and animalculæ. This water is but little
better than sewage. It is due to the water works to state that the
water taken from the river is filtered through a bed of sand and gravel
about four feet deep.
Professor Edward R. Taylor, of Cleveland, examined two samples of water
from the water works with the following result:
1st sample. 2d sample.
Specific gravity 10019 10021
In grams per litre the analyses show
Solid residue .5876 .5696
Organic and Volatile matter .3150 .1213
Chlorine .0598 .0738
Free ammonia .0015 .0002
Albuminoid ammonia .0038 .0018
The amount of chlorine is very considerable in both samples. It would
properly be presumed that both had a bad origin.
The following is taken from _The State Press_, Iowa City, Iowa, April
14, 1880:
“The Des Moines City Council spent several days inspecting the various
systems of water works through Iowa, Illinois and Indiana and came back
discouraged and disgusted with what they had seen.” The _Leader_ says:
“The last report made was from Indianapolis, where the water was bad,
the contract bad, and all the conditions were very bad. But for that
matter those things are getting monotonous. On the whole route, from
Burlington to Peoria, water was not found fit to drink, and in several
places it was too bad to wash in. At Springfield water is taken out of
the Illinois river, thick and black, and pumped about the city without
even an excuse made toward filtering it, and yet the money spent on
her water works aggregates nearly three times the hundred thousand
of dollars the works in Des Moines are offered at. The State Board
of Health has declared the water unfit for use. At Indianapolis the
Secretary of the Water Company said they could not recommend the water;
at Burlington, with her new and cheap works, the filter is reported
broken and the yellow Mississippi mud is daily dished up for men to
wash their eyes in. There was no excuse made for the mixture of mud and
water at Keokuk, it is probably past the day of excuses.”
On May 18, 1880, a sample of water was drawn from a faucet of the
Water Works Company. The analysis revealed the following. Each litre
contained:
Total solids .84 gramme.
Organic and volatile matter .43 ”
Chlorine .047 ”
Free ammonia .00008 ”
Albuminoid ammonia .00024 ”
Nitrates and nitrites Large amount.
The value of the above figures can best be understood when it is known
that pure spring water never contains over .000005 gramme of free
ammonia, and .00002 gramme albuminoid ammonia per litre. The best
authorities state that, that water is suspicious which contains above
.0001 gramme of albuminoid ammonia per litre; and over .00015 gramme of
albuminoid ammonia per litre ought to condemn absolutely.
Another sample of water from the water works was sent to Prof. Van
Nuys, on May 27, 1880. He reports that the water contained much more
organic matter than that in which an estimation of organic matter was
made before.
The following statement is from Prof. Van Nuys, July 14, 1880, in
regard to water from the water works. _Chemical and microscopic
examination of water received from Dr. M. T. Runnels, of Indianapolis,
on June 23 and 29, 1880_:
“The organic matter in 100 cubic centimetres of the water required
5.35 cubic centimetres of the one one-hundredth normal potassium
permanganate solution. In 5.35 cubic centimetres of this solution there
are 1.6932 milligrammes potassium permanganate or 0.428 milligrammes
oxygen was liberated, hence in one litre of the water the organic
matter would require 53.5 cubic centimetres of the one one-hundredth
normal permanganate solution, or 4.28 milligrammes oxygen would combine
with the carbon and hydrogen of the organic matter.
Residue (one litre filtered) heated to 180° centimetres 473.8
Chlorine 189.3
Nitric acid anhyd (N₂O₅) 17.448
Nitrous acid anhyd (N₂O₃) a trace
Ammonia (NH₃) 0.38
Calcium oxide (CaO) 128.8
Magnesium oxide (MgO) 46.2
Degree of hardness, English 21.93
or, degree of hardness, German 17.54
No microscopic examination was made of the water received June 23d. In
that received June 29th, there were numerous flakes of what appeared
to be organic bodies with granular matter, the following infusorial
animalculæ were found:
[Illustration: Closterium Acerosum.]
[Illustration: Glaucoma scintillans.]
[Illustration: _a_ Monas crepusculum. _b_ Monas punctum.]
The residue, organic matter, chlorine, nitric acid anhyd, and ammonia
were estimated in the water received June 23d. The calcium and
magnesium were estimated in the water received June 29, 1880.”
Although much has lately been said regarding impure water and the
startling mortality of Indianapolis, there are a great many people who
persistently refuse to accept the facts and would rather submit to a
large death rate than to “clean up” or go to the necessary expense
of obtaining good water. The complaint is often made that doctors do
not discharge their duties in warning the people against the dangers
of sickness. The fact is that the medical profession gives enough
wholesome advice to the public, but very few persons make practical use
of the information kindly given.
I commenced last January a series of soil and water investigations. A
partial report of my investigations was published in the Indianapolis
_News_, May 25 and July 13, 1880, and the Indianapolis _Saturday
Herald_, June 5, 1880. Since that time with the assistance of the best
chemists I have zealously prosecuted the work.
It is not an exaggeration to say that no dug well within a mile of
Circle street, can be depended upon for a continuous supply of good
water. The water furnished to the people by the water works company is
no better than the water from the average dug well. Water from deep
driven wells is the best well water we have.
I found the alleys, by-ways, back yards and stables all through the
city in a very filthy condition. Privy vaults have been dug without
being cemented, and no care whatever has been taken to keep them clean.
The drainage of the city is very defective. It is only along a few
of the principal streets that sewers have been constructed, and the
greater portion of the city has no drainage at all. It is a very common
thing to find standing water and large mud holes in every direction
through the city. It is a notable fact that the water level in many
cellars corresponds with the water level of dug wells and privy vaults
adjacent. Is it any wonder that infant mortality is so great in the
city?
If “infants of one year and under drink but little water,” they do
breathe in this city the deadly gases developed by the action of the
hot sun on decaying organic and vegetable matters, and the effluvia
arising constantly from overflowing privy vaults and cess-pools.
Sickness is sure to follow and death may abruptly terminate the young
life. According to the report of the Board of Health the deaths in this
city have been since January 1, 1876, as follows:
In 1876 the number of deaths were 1,641
” 1877 ” ” ” ” ” 1,528
” 1878 ” ” ” ” ” 1,296
” 1879 ” ” ” ” ” 1,470
” 1880 ” ” ” ” ” (9 months) 1,352
———
Total 7,287
Assuming that the population has been 75,125, the annual death rate
would be:
21.8 per 1,000 in 1876
20.3 ” ” ” 1877
17.2 ” ” ” 1878
19.5 ” ” ” 1879
23.9 ” ” ” (9 months) 1880
The average would be 20.5 per 1,000 annually which is at least six
above what it should be.
Herewith I give a table of recent sanitary analyses of our city well
and cistern waters, which startlingly outline the impending dangers and
serve as texts for many cases of ill health and death already met by
those who have drank the waters.
The first and second samples were taken from two wells in the rear of a
block having about twenty occupants. An inspection of the back yard and
alley showed an immense amount of filth. There was no sewer to carry
away slop or excrementitious matters. A large privy vault was in the
rear of the block. There was one well north and another south of the
vault, and about twenty feet from it. These wells supplied the water
to the occupants of the block. Six cases of scarlet fever were there
developed and three of them died. The other persons in the block were
constantly ailing. One of the leading physicians of the city attributed
the outbreak of the fever to the bad surroundings and the impure water.
The third sample was taken from a well on East Walnut street. The
family using the water were more or less sick all the time. Languor,
loss of appetite and spirits, sleeplessness, or nightmare, morning
diarrhœa, headache and nausea, one or all, continually annoyed those
drinking the water. The privy vault, twelve feet deep was forty feet
northeast of the well.
The fourth sample was obtained from a well on North Tennessee street.
Throat affections, fevers, diarrhœas, headaches with malaise, etc., made
up the list of the complaints of the family using the water.
The fifth sample came from a well on North Alabama street. During the
last three months, among those who drank the water there were three who
had scarlet fever—one of whom died. And so on similar reports can be
made of the other samples, except those marked “good” or “excellent.”