Part 2

ADDITIONAL FACTS.

Free carbonic acid, grains per gallon, 11.9504 Combined Co₂, ” ” ” 6.6528 Total Co₂, ” ” ” 18.6032

Bases: Lime, magnesia, soda, potassa, ammonia.

Acids: Hydrochloric, sulphuric, nitric, phosphoric, carbonic, silicic.

Most of the lime is in the form of carbonate held in solution by carbonic acid; most of the magnesia exists as a salt soluble in water, probably the sulphate; some of the alkalies are present as carbonates. The iron is kept in solution by carbonic acid.

EXPLANATION AND OPINION.

The color and odor indicate contamination. The large amount of soluble solids is suspicious. The blackening of the residue during ignition shows the presence of organic matter in solution. The large amount of combustible and volatile matter is a grave indication. Because the alkalinity exceeds the hardness, it shows the presence of an alkaline carbonate, which is a suspicious circumstance, since it may result from the decomposition of animal matter. The amount of chlorine is unusually large. I think the average for well water is about one grain. The large quantity of chlorine and the presence of alkaline carbonates point very strongly to the stable, privy, sewer, or cess-pool. The amount of nitric acid is large, though this alone may not mean much, yet joined with the other results it has much significance. The amount of ammonia is more than twice the quantity that ought to condemn a water absolutely. The small amount of free ammonia and the large quantity of albuminoid ammonia show that a large amount of organic matter is present and decaying slowly. As the weather becomes warm, the proportion of free ammonia will increase. Bacteria are always associated with putrefaction and conditions of hygienic importance.

Infusoria are never generated except in organic solutions. They are abundant in all fresh water wherever organic matter is held in solution, also in stagnant water.

From the large amount of chlorine and the presence of alkaline carbonates, it would appear that the water is contaminated with animal rather than with vegetable matter.

This water is unfit for domestic uses.

EDMUND R. ANGELL.

A word in explanation may be necessary to those who are not familiar with water analysis.

Water that contains such a large amount of solids is very suspicious. It will be seen that the sample contained twelve grains of chlorine to the gallon, which would alone at once condemn it. The only source from which chlorine is derived in the waters of this state, except possibly a trace, must be from the sewage or waste from the household, where common salt is used. A well that contains over one grain to the gallon is to be looked upon with suspicion. The same is true of a water that contains over 0.01 part of ammonia or “albuminoid ammonia.”

Then, again, the bacteria and infusoria, to the extent present, indicate its pollution.

Of the history of this well and the family using its water Dr. Currier renders the following report, which is a terrible commentary upon the dangers of filth in drinking-water. Since the report was made, Dr. C. states that there was a case of typhoid upon these premises during the early part of the winter, which he did not know of at the time his report was written.

DR. CURRIER’S REPORT.

The farm-house, from the well of which was taken the specimen of polluted water, is situated on a high bluff of land south-east of the village, and is known by the name of East Mountain. Upon this ridge of land are situated some of the best farms in town. The soil is rich and deep, underlying which is a sub-soil of clay, very hard and compact, but occasionally interrupted by a deposit of sand. I have been told there were beds of sand in the vicinity of this dwelling-house.

By the diagram sent, you will see that the well is under the L part of the house. The water is drawn up by means of a windlass in one of the back rooms. The well itself is some twenty-five feet deep. In the summer kitchen, not more than three or four feet from the well, you will notice the sink marked 2 on the diagram, which discharges its water on the ground by means of an open spout but a few feet from the outside of the building. At 3, about an equal distance from the well, is a back door, from which foul water, as on washing-days, and filth of nearly all descriptions, were usually thrown, which is not saying more than can be said of back doors to farm-houses in general.

As you step out of this door, a little to your left you will see the pig-sty, the centre of which cannot be more than fifteen feet from top of well. The privy marked 4 is entered from the walk leading from the well-room to the barn-yard, the excrements of which are received upon the ground. The distance from the door, 7, that opens into the barn-yard, and the well, is just twenty-four feet by actual measurement. Stepping out of this door you are in the barn-yard filled with cattle and sheep, on the further side of which is the barn with its usual manure heap and decomposing vegetable matter in general. Thus we have the barn, barn-yard, privy, pig-sty, back door, and sink all in dangerous proximity to the well, either one of which might contaminate its water, and render it unfit for use.

It was on the 8th of March, 1883, that I procured the second specimen of water from this well that I sent you. For over three months prior to that date the ground had been frozen and covered with snow, with no thaws during the whole winter severe enough to cause any surface-water. The winter was what is called a dry one, all the wells in that vicinity being remarkably low, so that there could be no surface-water finding its way into the well on that date, and probably had not for months previous: the influence of the surroundings at that time must have been at the minimum. If the water is bad under this condition, what must it be soon after the frost is out, and the well becomes filled with its maximum of surface-water?

Now the interesting question comes, What has been the effect upon the health and lives of the family or families occupying this house and using this water? I am informed that they did not use the water at all times, under suspicion that it might not be good: still it was used more or less.

Forty-one years ago the place was purchased and occupied by a man then in the prime of life. He had seven children, some of whom were born before and some after moving upon the place. The father, mother, and all the children are now dead, except one.

The date, age, and cause of death, as near as I can find out, are as follows:

1849, a son, age 18 years; cause, typhoid fever.

1849, a daughter, age 16 years; cause, typhoid fever.

1863, a son, age 28 years; cause, consumption.

1871, mother, age 63 years; cause, gall stones; great sufferer from sick headache.

1874, a daughter, age 27 years; cause, consumption.