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in his search of health, will naturally resent the imputation that his presence is a menace to the health and lives of others; while those who believe themselves to be in good health, will object to being associated for long-distance travel with those suffering from tuberculous and other infectious disease. Sooner or later, it is quite probable that on through routes to Florida, Colorado, New Mexico, California, and other places, a hospital car will become part of the train service, the number of trips per month to be regulated by the demand. Such cars should be constructed under the direction of our most expert sanitarians, should have all the important improvements in heating, ventilation, and appliances for the comfort of invalids and their attendants; but all luxurious appointments, such as curtains, carpets, and plush coverings, should be reduced to the minimum, and every part of the coach and its fixtures should be so arranged that it could be cleaned and completely disinfected at any station, or, if need be, the same could be thoroughly accomplished while en route.

Other things being equal, a car of the boudoir pattern, somewhat modified, would probably meet the wants of that class of travellers better than almost any other of our present style of coaches, as curtains and other things that would become soiled and unwholesome, could be reduced to a minimum or left out altogether, in the furnishing of the car.

I am not a practical mechanic, and, therefore, feel a diffidence in making suggestions which require the approbation of a master mechanic, but it would seem to the professional mind, that with our present means of heating with steam direct from the engine, it should be very easy to arrange for the complete disinfection by steam, and that it might be done very expeditiously. This is a matter in which the expert sanitarian and the practical mechanic must meet on mutual ground, and agree upon some method that will be effectual and secure the

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confidence of the public; and at the same time, it must be simple and comparatively inexpensive, else it will not receive attention from the trainmen and others, to whom it would have to be intrusted. I should have some doubt of such a coach being at once self-supporting, much less of its ability to pay a dividend on the amount invested, yet it is quite possible that in advertising the trunk line over which it was intended to run at regular intervals, it might prove as profitable as any other means of bringing the route into favor with the public. To do this, it must be constructed on such mechanical and hygienic principles, as to commend itself to every one having occasion to investigate its use; and the possibility of its being thoroughly cleaned and disinfected must be obvious and recognizable by all classes of people, else distrust, instead of confidence will be engendered, and, therefore, it would fail of accomplishing the grand work for which it was intended.

This paper has been somewhat discursive in its character, but if I have succeeded in impressing upon the members of this association that there is a need of discussing this question, as well as the fact that in the solution of the problem, the invalid, those in good health, and the stockholders and management of the roads, are all deeply interested in bringing about a much needed reform, the object of its being written will have been accomplished.

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THE WATER-SUPPLY OF ANTRIM.

BY EX-GOVERNOR D. H. GOODELL.

DEAR SIR: The question of furnishing to this village a general water-supply from some large and pure source, has been under consideration here for several years. Many projects have been considered, but until last year, nothing except the appointment of committees for consideration of the subject had been really done. Last March a committee was appointed with instructions to carefully investigate matters, and see where such water could be obtained and ascertain as nearly as possible the expense. Finally at a meeting a month or two later of the South Antrim village fire precinct, organized under the laws of the state, it was voted to instruct the commissioners to proceed to an establishment of a system of water-works, sufficient to supply the village for domestic purposes, and also fire hydrants, so as to protect the property in case of fire. We employed Prof. Angell to examine the waters about the place, and finally after he had analyzed the water of two of our natural ponds, he decided that the water in the Campbell pond, about three and one half miles north of the village, was of most excellent quality. This pond is located on the side of a mountain, some twenty acres or so in area, and is a long way from anything that can now, and will ever be likely to, vitiate it.

A contract was finally made with Messrs. Edw. Gustine & Son of Keene, to establish this system. The question came up, as to whether we should use cast iron or wood for our conduit, but finally it was decided that as there was no difference in the cost we would use a woodpipe, First, that we might be able to conduct the water in perfect condition, there being no lead used in the joints in

the pipe, or anything else that would taint the water except the pine wood logs of which the pipe was made; and, second, because in the judgment of the commission these pipes properly put in would be likely to be more durable than cast iron, and far less liable to freeze or to conduct lightning to the injury of the pipe. We, therefore, decided to use wood.

The Messrs. Gustine commenced their work about the first of August and carried it on with great energy and success, and had it completed about the middle of October. We have a pressure of about 100 lbs., and even more in some parts of the village, while at all parts of the village, or nearly all, there is a pressure of at least 80 lbs. to the square inch. We have hydrants placed within 400 feet of every building in the village, and on the main street they are much nearer to each other most of the way. I think we are as thoroughly protected against fire with this system as we can possibly be. Probably if frost is ever liable to trouble our system, it would have done it already this winter, for after it has stood a year, the earth about the pipe will be a better protection than it can be at present, and yet up to this time I have heard of no trouble from any quarter in this respect.

Doubtless we have as fine a system of water-works for a village of our size, as can be found in the country.

One mile of the pipe commencing at the pond, is eight inches in diameter, inside measurement; and the balance of it is six inches in diameter through the main street of our village; and another branch of six inches is extended to another part of the village, which is likely to be built up with new houses within a few years; four-inch pipes branch out to the small streets, and everything is in most perfect working order.

For convenience, for fire purposes, and for the healthfulness of the village, we think no other system anywhere can be superior to this. Cost, $23,000.

IMPURITIES IN ICE.

BY T. MITCHELL PRUDDEN.

A good many of the bacteria which are found in all natural surface waters are expelled or killed when the water freezes, but as many as ten per cent. and often more may remain alive. A large number of studies on this subject have shown that the bubbly and snowy ice is apt to contain many more bacteria than the clear ice does. These bacteria in ice have, as a rule, no influence whatsoever upon the health of the ice consumer, if the ice has been formed on bodies of water which are clear and pure. But ice which is formed on sewage-polluted or otherwise filthy water may contain disease-producing bacteria, and hence be very dangerous for domestic use.

It has thus come to be firmly established as a primary principle in sanitary science, that sewage-polluted water should not be used for domestic purposes, either in its natural state or in its condition as ice. No water which is unfit to drink as water is fit to use for a similar purpose as ice. Its coldness may benumb the sense of taste, so that no warning of its nature comes to the consumer. Its intrinsic clearness and beauty may put him off his guard, but all ice cut from sewage-polluted waters is dangerous, and should by law be kept from the domestic market.

Ice manufactured from distilled water should, it would seem, be germ free. In fact, however, it is extremely difficult to prepare absolutely germ-free water on the large scale, and almost impossible to keep it so if once prepared, because every exposure to the air, or contact with utensils

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