the town, say 8000, had been affected in an equal proportion, more than
7000 would have been ill during these few weeks, and about 5500 of them
would have had typhoid fever, and of these over 1375 would have died. If
it would be a more just comparison to take the whole family at Maplewood
into the account, estimating the number at 112, fifty-six had typhoid
fever, or 50 per cent., and of these fifty-six, sixteen died, or over 28.5
per cent. These proportions applied to the whole population of 8000, would
give 4000 of typhoid fever in the same time; and of these 1140 would have
died. According to the testimony of the practising physicians of
Pittsfield, the number of cases of typhoid fever, during this period,
aside from those affected by the influences at Maplewood, was small, some
physicians not having had any, others had two or three." These cases
amounted to but eight, none of which terminated fatally.

The whole secret of this case was proven to have been the retention of the
ordure and waste matter from the kitchens and dormitories in privies and
vaults, underneath or immediately adjoining the buildings, the odor from
these having been offensively perceptible, and under certain atmospheric
conditions, having pervaded the whole house.

The committee say "it would be impossible to bring this report within
reasonable limits, were we to discuss the various questions connected with
the origin and propagation of typhoid fever, although various theoretical
views are held as to whether the poison producing the disease is generated
in the bodies of the sick, and communicated from them to the well, or
whether it is generated in sources exterior to the bodies of fever
patients, yet all authorities maintain that a peculiar poison is concerned
in its production.

"Those who hold to the doctrine of contagion admit that, to give such
contagion efficacy in the production of wide spread results, filth or
decaying organic matter is essential; while those who sustain the theory
of non-contagion--the production of the poison from sources without the
bodies of the sick--contend that it has its entire origin in such filth--in
decomposing matter, especially in fermenting sewage, and decaying human
excreta.

"The injurious influence of decomposing azotised matter, in either
predisposing to or exciting severe disease, and particularly typhoid
fever, is universally admitted among high medical authorities."

The committee were of the op