inion "that the disease at Maplewood
essentially originated in the state of the privies and drainage of the
place; the high temperature, and other peculiar atmospheric conditions
developing, in the organic material thus exposed, a peculiar poison, which
accumulated in sufficient quantity to pervade the whole premises, and
operated a sufficient length of time to produce disease in young and
susceptible persons. * * * * * * To prevent the poison of typhoid fever
when taken into the system, from producing its legitimate effects, except
by natural agencies, would require as positive a miracle as to restore a
severed head, or arrest the course of the heavenly bodies in their
spheres. * * * The lesson for all, for the future, is too obvious to need
further pointing out; and the committee cannot doubt that they would
hazard little in predicting that the wisdom obtained by this sad
experience, will be of value in the future management of this institution,
and secure precautions which will forever prevent the recurrence of such a
calamity."

The results of all sanitary investigation indicate clearly the vital
necessity for the complete and speedy removal from human habitations of
all matters which, by their decomposition, may tend to the production of
disease, and early measures should be taken by the authorities of all
towns, especially those which are at all compactly built, to secure this
removal. The means by which this is to be effected are to be found in such
a combination of water-supply and sewerage, as will furnish a constant and
copious supply of water to dissolve or hold in suspension the whole of the
waste matters, and will provide a channel through which they may be
carried away from the vicinity of residences. If means for the application
of the sewage water to agricultural lands can be provided, a part if not
the whole of the cost of the works will be thus returned.

Concerning the details of house drainage, it would be impossible to say
much within the limits of this book. The construction of water-closets,
soil-pipes, sinks, etc., are too will be understood to need a special
description here.

The principal point, (aside from the use of pipes instead of brick-sewers
and brick house-drains,) is what is called in London the system of Back
Drainage, where only principal main lines of sewers are laid under the
streets, all collecting sewers passing through the centres of the blocks
in the rear of the houses. Pipe