eft off our remarks
and complaints about the water, and only abstained, as much as we could
conveniently, from its use.

In the progress of the autumn, the well became nearly dry, and the
offensive odor having become troublesome to others no less than to
ourselves, it was very wisely concluded to draw out the water to the
bottom, and thus find and remove the impurities. The task was
exceedingly trying, but was at length accomplished.

Besides other impurities, there were found at the bottom of the well,
several toads in a state of putrefaction, and so very offensive that it
was difficult to approach them, or even to approach the top of the well
that contained them. They were of course removed as soon as possible,
and every practicable measure was adopted which was favorable to
cleanliness. This final clearing of the well was about two months before
the sickness commenced.

Now whether there was a connection between the use of this water and the
sickness which followed, is a curious, and at the same time, a very
important question. Against this belief, at least apparently so, is the
fact that our disease resembled in no trifling degree, the prevailing
disease in certain neighboring towns. Another fact is also worthy of
consideration. The rest of the family drank freely of the water, why did
not they sicken as well as we?

But as a deduction from the force of these facts, it is to be observed
that nobody else around us for several miles had the prevailing
epidemic unless it was ourselves. And then as to the objection that only
a part of the family sickened, it is to be recollected that in the case
of some of them who sickened there might have been, nay, probably were,
other debilitating causes in operation previously, to prepare the way;
such as, for example, in my own case, the want of sufficient sleep.

Thus far, then, though we arrive at nothing positive, we yet find our
suspicions of a poisonous influence emanating from the putrid reptiles
remaining. Indeed, it were impossible wholly to suppress them, and I
will ask the candid reader's attention for a few moments to certain
analogical evidence in the case, which, it is believed, will greatly aid
the mind in coming to a right decision on the subject.

An eruptive disease broke out in two families residing in a house in
Eastern Massachusetts, a few years ago, which was observed to affect
more or less, every member of the two families who had drunk water from
the