14. Iron always occurs in small quantities in water, and is objectionable only when in excess. 15. These specimens are free from lead. 16. The sediment is not large in these samples; the water near the sediment in every case but one, No. 4, had a milky appearance. 17. These waters at present contain infusoria and bacteria, except No. 4. As the season advances they will contain more. Many waters that are safe to drink contain infusoria, but if a water contains bacteria it should be condemned. Of these specimens No. 3 shows the most bacteria; the sediment is alive with them. A water may appear to be good chemically, and the microscope may show it to be bad. Specimen No. 1 is very bad water, both chemically and microscopically. Besides the suffering caused by this disregard of all sanitary laws, the moneyed value of the epidemic is something worthy of consideration, and to my mind furnishes a reason why the people should insist on the sanitary laws being carried out. The total expense for the eighteen cases of typhoid fever, two cases of diphtheria, three cases of scarlet fever, and one case of erysipelas, covering a period of three months, was $7,215, counting the four deaths at $1,000 each, which I believe is the law. The individual expenses are as follows, the figures being given me by members of the families, and many times taken from the bills : PHYSICAL EXERCISE. BY CARL H. HORSCH, M. D., DOVER, N. H. A well-regulated use of our voluntary muscles is a very important aid for the functions of digestion and assimilation of the food, circulation and mixing of the blood, growth, production and reproduction of our system. The circulation in the veins, wherein the blood is carried from the parts of the body back to the heart, is influenced to a great extent by the contraction of the muscle fibers. If the fibers of our muscles contract, a pressure against the surrounding vessels takes place and the blood is pushed towards the heart. The valves which we find in the veins prevent the blood from flowing back again when the contraction ceases, a next contraction brings the blood still nearer and at a certain time back to the heart. Gaskell and others have demonstrated by experiments that the flow of blood through the muscles is increased during the period of contraction. For that part of the circulation of the blood, systematic free exercises are the most effectual, and in order to carry them out systematically we must know what different motions the muscles produce. If we commence with the here illustrated motions, we are sure that we have brought the voluntary muscles which can be entirely controlled by our will, into rational systematic physiological action, and have them better prepared for daily labor, forced muscular exercises, as gymnastics, boating, etc., for a better balance of our body, and for a development of agility and vigor. The following illustrated exercises should be made at least three times a day, and every motion three times, which can be executed in about two minutes. There are many vocations where persons use or even overtax some of their voluntary muscles, but do not contract the fibers of the other sets of muscles, which the circulation of the blood and other physiological functions require. No. 1.-EXERCISE FOR THE ABDUCTOR MUSCLES. 1. Use the abductor muscles by spreading the extremities, and move them from the middle line of the body. |