THE DRINKING WATERS I# 1ARYLAND, 
Considered with reference to the Health of the 
Inhabitants. 
BY 
W. O. VAX BfBBER, M. ]). 
Read before the Medical and Ghirurgical Faculty of Maryland, at the Eighty-fourth 
Session, April 14th, 1882. [Reprinted from The Transactions of the Medical and Chirurgical Faculty of the State 
of Maryland, April, 1882.] 
THE DRINKING WATERS OF MARYLAND CONSIDERED 
IN REFERENCE TO THE HEALTH OF THE 
INHABITANTS. 
By W. C. Van Bibber, M. D. 
Within the limits of the State of Maryland, two well-marked 
divisions of earth-surface are found, that is, high and mountainous 
land, and low and level plains. There is, consequently, an oppor- 
tunity to compare these two well-defined sections with each other as 
to resulting differences in the health of their inhabitants, and to in- 
quire if such differences as may be found can be fairly traced to their 
water supply. 
The boundaries of the State of Maryland are irregular. It lies 
between the parallels of 37° 53' and 39° 44' north latitude, and the 
parallels of 75° 4' and 79° 33' west longitude. The north boundary 
line of the State is Mason and Dixon’s line, which runs nearly 
straight east and west 196 miles. The Chesapeake bay and the Sus- 
quehanna river divide the State into two shores. The western shore 
is bounded on the west and south by the eastern bank of the Potomac 
river. The eastern shore is bounded on the east by Delaware and 
the Atlantic ocean, and on the south by the Pocomoke river and a 
straight line running from it to the ocean, which line divides it from 
the eastern shore of Virginia. The longest distance from the north 
boundary to the water on the south is 120 miles. The State has, 
therefore, a distance east and west of nearly 200 miles, and north and 
south 120 miles. Within this irregular boundary there is a land 
area of 11,124 square miles, and the water area of Chesapeake bay is 
2835 square miles. Along the northern line, and for an average of 
40 miles from it coming south, the face of the country is moun- 
tainous and hilly. The mountains in the northwestern part of the State 
have a height of 3000 feet, and the hills gradually diminish in eleva- 
tion from 800 to 300 feet above the level of the sea. Parr’s ridge 2 
may be said to be the last of the highlands, in a general way, and 
south of this ridge the hills. are small, most of the land level, and 
only a few feet above tide. In this * way the face of the country is 
divided into the highlands’ and the lowlands; and, as physicians, we 
are familiar with the diseases, as well as with the general appearance 
of health of the inhabitants of these two parts of our State. The 
eastern shore and the four lower counties of the western shore border 
on salt water; and in these counties the lands are flat, having many 
advantages of agriculture, with, also, additional means of subsistence 
for their citizens derived from the water. They ai'fe considered by 
many as the garden spots of the State, where not only the comforts 
of life, but many of its luxuries are easily obtained. It is admitted 
that ague and fever is more prevalent in the lowlands than amongst 
the hills and mountains of the State. It is commonly supposed now 
that the cause or essence of ague and fever is some peculiar principle 
to be found in the atmosphere of the lowlands. The supposed pres- 
ence of this disease-germ or poisonous element or essence in the air 
has given origin to the word “ malaria.” 
Up to this time, every means which has been taken to find the 
cause of this disease in the air has failed. The microscope has been 
employed; experiments with ozone have been made ; observations of 
one season differing from another, that is, seasons of drought, seasons 
of large rain-fall, seasons when storms were frequent and when they 
were few, have been noted, and yet there is neither a law established 
nor special object found, so far as the air is concerned, which has 
given a clew or a tangible form to the cause of ague and fever. The 
difficulty of the investigation, in all its bearings, is freely admitted; 
but it may be fairly said, that although the air has been carefully 
studied, no atmospheric element has yet been found to account for 
this widely prevalent disease. 
It is possible that a study of the drinking waters respectively used 
in the two sections of the State may hereafter give a more successful 
result to this most important inquiry. It is partly to direct attention 
in this way that this paper has been prepared. 
In order to understand what differences exist in the waters which 
are used in this State, or elsewhere', it is necessary to have some stan- 
dard with which to compare them. Let the standard be pure water, 
and it will be asked what is pure water ? At the present time this is 
a question not difficult to answer ; but it is known that nature does 
not furnish pure water anywhere in sufficient abundance to be used 3 
by man for the ordinary wants of life. What is the use of water 
when taken into the system ? What are the physiological effects of 
water ? Why and how is water a necessity for the continuance of 
animal life ? These are questions inseparable from this subject. If 
water is necessary for the preservation of life, and when pure, gives 
positive results after being taken into the system, then it is fair to 
infer that impure water, holding many substances in solution, will 
also give positive results according to the substances held in solution, 
whatever these may be. Water from every spring, well, stream and 
river shows some difference in chemical analysis, and we may also infer 
that each water may give some different result. It is true sometimes 
these differences both in the water and the result are slight; yet in 
other instances, and in certain individuals, they are well marked. If 
such differences are appreciable to chemical tests, they will also be 
manifested in the condition of the public health, if a contaminated 
water is used sufficiently long. This subject is an important one, 
and in the light of recent discoveries in science may give, in any 
country, a new direction to future researches for the cause of ague 
and fever, as well as for other diseases. It is not known that what is 
called in chemistry “ pure water ” is obtained from any spring or well 
in this State, but there are said to be a few springs in the world which 
yield pure water. 
Pure water is the starting-point or standard for the chemist when 
investigating the constituents of such water as is commonly found in 
nature, or of potable waters supposed to be injuriously impure. How 
can pure water be obtained ? Chemically pure it can only be obtained 
by carefully managed processes; but practically pure enough for 
most purposes in chemistry it may easily be obtained, by distilling 
common water, by catching clean rain water, or by boiling some 
waters and filtering them. Water thus obtained is pure enough to 
serve as a comparison for healthy natural drinking water. 
It may not be out of place to mention two of the well-known 
properties of natural water. It passes into steam at a temperature 
of 212° F., and becomes ice at a temperature of 32° F. Whilst 
descending from a temperature of about 40° F. to the freezing point it 
expands with great force. This causes ice to be lighter than water, 
and it is this, as yet unaccounted-for phenomenon, which preserves 
all life in the cold and temperate zones. Both the boiling and 
freezing of water now enter largely into its sanitary study. The 
purity of ice, when it is to be used for drinking purposes, as will be 4 
seen further on, has recently been brought prominently forward as a 
matter of great importance. 
What are the uses of water in the preservation of life and health ? 
It is the natural drink of all adult animals. In therapeutic phrase 
it is “a vital stimulus”; and is more essential for the immediate pre- 
servation of life than solid aliment or food. Recent experiments of 
celebrated fasters prove this fact. There are several reasons why 
water is urgently required for the immediate preservation of life, but 
a principal one is, that water is required to replace the fluid in the 
blood which is lost by the excretory and exhaling organs. Without 
water the blood would become too much thickened to circulate. 
Water dissolves the various substances taken as food. It forms about 
785 parts in 1000 of the blood, and is variously estimated at from I to 
nearly f of the entire weight of the human body. “ An ordinary 
healthy adult takes, in one way or another, by eating or drinking, 
about five pints of it in twenty-four hours. Some more, others less, 
according to different circumstances and individual peculiarities.” 
This estimate of a celebrated English physiologist is considered more 
than most persons can comfortably digest of our hydrant or pump 
waters. “Water is the great means of movement within the system; 
it performs the same office of transportation and exchange in the 
vital economy that it does by oceans, rivers and canals, in the com- 
merce of the world. Nutritive substances cannot enter the system, 
nor the debris of the tissues leave it, except in a state of solution; it 
is the office of water to bring them into this condition, and convey 
them to their various places of destination.” [Huxley’s Elementary 
Hygiene, p. 370.] 
Three things distinguish water, and these are used, in some way, 
every second of time. It is the most abundant of fluids: when unob- 
structed, it seeks, in all directions, with amazing force, for the level 
at which it issued from the earth, and will rest with nothing less 
than this, or the ocean. Again; it is the only known substance 
which gives a feeling of freshness to the skin. If there were two or 
more substances which did this, water would be less remarkable. 
The different kinds of water found in Maryland and used by the 
inhabitants of the State are as follows—they will be treated of in the 
order named: 1, rain; 2, marsh water; 3, ice water; 4, seawater; 
5, mineral water, found within the State; 6, spring water; 7, well 
water, including artesian wells; 8, stream or branch water; 9, river 
water; 10, mineral waters, brought by commerce regularly into the 5 
State and sold for table and medical uses. There are no lakes in 
Maryland, as there are none in what is called the Appalachian range, 
in which the State is situated. Such is the diversity of earth-surface 
within the boundaries of the State, that it is difficult to give an average 
dew-point. Dew differs from rain only in containing a greater amount 
of atmospheric air. 
1. Rain water is the purest form of natural water, inasmuch as it 
has not come in contact with the solid crust of the earth. Notwith- 
standing this fact, so great is the chemical affinity of water for other 
substances, that in its descent through the atmosphere it becomes 
contaminated with ammoniacal salts, chloride of sodium, and organic 
matters of various kinds in sufficient quantity to be appreciated by 
tests. Dr. Angus Smith, of England, has written at length upon this 
subject. Practically, rain water used in this State is not so pure as 
it might be, mainly because proper care is not taken in catching and 
preserving it. In those districts where the well or spring waters are 
“ hard,” that is, where they will not dissolve soap, rain water is used 
for laundry purposes. It is then run from the roof-spout into barrels, 
with no care taken to wash the roof, or to preserve the water clean 
after it is caught. The one cistern in the city of Baltimore which 
has been investigated, and which is used for drinking water, is notan 
exception to this want of care. No precaution is taken to wash the 
roof before the water flows into the cistern. There are cisterns, how- 
ever, throughout the State which are said to be kept in good repair 
and to be properly managed. From these the water is much valued 
by those who use it. This is particularly the case amongst the 
wealthy people in the tide-water counties. 
2. Marsh water is generally impure, from organic matter, of vege- 
table or animal origin, or both. In salt-water marshes the mineral 
constituents of sea-water are also present. Marsh-water is not used 
to any great extent within the State, and never, except upon com- 
pulsion, by the inhabitants of the tide-water districts. It should 
always be avoided as a drinking water, if possible, and ice taken from 
it should be used with great caution. 
3. Ice water is largely used, especially in summer, but by many 
persons during the entire year. It stands as a paradox in being at 
the same time a luxury and a medicine. When ice is slowly melting 
in pitchers or coolers prepared for the purpose, the coldness of its 
water makes it pleasant and luxurious; but after it has melted and 
its water has risen to the temperature of ordinary spring or hydrant 6 
water, its taste is flat, unpleasant and unrefreshing, and then, at this 
temperature, it is generally rejected as a drink. It is said that fish 
cannot live in water from melted ice, which at once shows a difference 
in the vitalizing properties between it and other waters. Water from 
melted icebergs has been used for drinking in emergencies. It is 
often said “ freezing purifies water,” but recent investigations have 
conclusively proved this is not true to the extent that it is popularly 
believed. It is true that whilst freezing, water deposits such sub- 
stances which would give it a specific gravity greater than water 
itself; but, after sufficient investigations, the most careful biologists 
are satisfied, that although adult bacteria are killed by freezing, yet 
the germs of these microscopic animals survive this process, and are 
afterwards revived, under favorable conditions of moisture in a higher 
temperature. Thus the question of the impurity of ice has under- 
gone great changes Avithin the last few years, and it is now advised 
that such water as one would not, and should not, use for drinking, 
cannot be safely used for this purpose in tjie form of ice. It is recom- 
mended to go even further than this, and to exclude contaminated ice 
from refrigerators and from meat ice-houses where the meat is brought 
in contact with the ice. In our State ice is often cut, for domestic 
uses, from turbid ponds. Such ice should not be used for drinking, 
but may be used to cool pure water without coming in contact with 
it. During the summer of 1875 more than twenty-five persons in a 
hotel at Rye Beach, in the State of New Hampshire, were rendered 
seriously ill by drinking the water from contaminated ice. This was 
the first case of the kind which was carefully investigated, and since 
then many others have occurred, the study of which has added much 
knowledge to the subject. Experience, therefore, shows that it is 
important in every household to be careful in the selection and use of 
ice for drinking and other domestic purposes. 
4. Sea water is only used for bathing. The sea bath, when pro- 
perly advised, is an efficient means of restoring deteriorated health. 
The most esteemed sea-water bathing place in the State is Ocean 
City, on the Atlantic coast. Tolchester Beach, St. Michael’s, Oxford 
and other places on the Chesapeake bay are used as esteemed salt 
Avater bathing resorts. 
5. Mineral Waters found within the State.—When the saline or 
gaseous ingredients of water are sufficient in quantity to impart to it 
a decided odor or taste, or when, from their analyses, or from experi- 
ence, spring or well Avaters are found to contain substances which 7 
produce positive beneficial results upon some of those who drink 
them, they are termed mineral springs. Of these there are many in 
the State which are used for medicinal purposes. The water from 
one well has recently obtained much celebrity as a mineral water. 
This is the Strontia water, and the well front which it is obtained is 
situated near Brooklandville, in Baltimore county. Its analysis has 
been made by Prof. Wm. Simon, and shows that this water contains 
more strontia than any other water known. It is highly esteemed by 
many physicians and others who have used it. What the particular 
medical virtues of strontia are, or how this substance, in combination 
with other substances, gives such positive results as this water does 
in some cases, are questions which cannot be discussed in this paper. 
There are many chalybeate, sulphur and limestone springs through- 
out the State having local reputations as mineral waters; but none 
which are used to any great extent as popular resorts, and none other 
than the strontia which is sold in sufficient quantity to deserve men- 
tion. 
A brief consideration has been given to rain, marsh and sea water, 
and mineral waters found within this State, because these are com- 
paratively little used for general purposes. The inhabitants of the 
State depend for their daily water supply upon springs or wells, and 
streams and river water. About one-half of the inhabitants of Mary- 
land use the former, and the other half the latter. The cities of Bal- 
timore, Frederick, Hagerstown and Cumberland have already, or are 
now constructing, systems of water supply, which will bring the water 
from neighboring rivers or streams into the houses of the residents 
of those cities. Cumberland, in this State, and Washington city, in 
the District of Columbia, are supplied from the Potomac River.* 
*The city of Washington was originally in the State of Maryland. The fol- 
lowing statistics of its water supply may be interesting, and have been furnished 
for this paper, by the kindness of Thomas P. Morgan, Esq., one of the Commis- 
sioners of the District of Columbia: 
Washington, April 5,1882. 
To the Engineer Commissioner, D. C.: 
Sir:—In reference to communication of Dr. W. C. Van Bibber, addressed 
to Com’r Morgan, I have the honor to report the following answers to inquiries 
therein : 
Question 1. Answer.—The original ordinance concerning the care and man- 
agement of the Water Works of Washington imposes fine and imprisonment 
for injury to any of the structures or appurtenances. 8 
Hagerstown is supplied from the water-shed west of South Mountain, 
and Frederick from the water-shed east of South Mountain. It will 
be a source of general regret to you, as physicians, and to the people 
of the entire State, to read in the valuable report of the State Board 
of Health for this year, concerning the bad condition of the water 
supply in Cumberland and Frederick. It is only necessary to refer 
to this report for all that can be said upon the subject. It is to be 
hoped the prominent men in these two cities will take those means, 
which are so easily within their reach, to remedy this public evil in 
their communities, without delay. The water supply of Hagerstown 
is reported as good. 
Question 2. Answer.—The present supply is about 27 million gallons per day, 
which cannot be greatly increased without extension of works. 
Questions 3 and 4. Answer.—There is no considerable amount of storage, the 
natural flow of stream being relied on. 
Question 5. Answer.—The present supply is at the rate of about 170 gallons 
per day per capita. 
Question 6. Answer.—An analysis made in 1875 gave in grains per gallon: 
Chlorine, 0.17543; Ammonia, 0.000584; Albuminoid Ammonia, 0.003625; 
Hardness degrees of Clark’s scale.—Analysis by Surgeon Gen’l U. S. A. 
Question 7. Answer.—In purity it ranks as compared with water of other 
cities in the country. 
Question 8. Answer.—Muddy after heavy rains. No disagreeable taste or 
odor of late years. 
Question 9. Answer.—Has occurred in hot weather, attributed to microscopic 
vegetable growth on surface of water at Great Falls. . 
Question 10. Answer.—Natural flow or gravity supply. About 3 million gal- 
lons per day pumped by steam power for high service. 
Question 11. Answer.—Distributing reservoir 146 feet above tide-water. 
Very respectfully, 
Geo. H. Bailey, Computing Engineer. 
Engineer Department, D. C. 
Washington, October 9,1880. 
Analysis of water from Potomac River, at Police headquarters. One 
litre=1000 grammes of this water: 
Appearance, clean, no taste, no odor. Hardness, 2 degrees, each degree= 
0.00548 CaO.COa. Solid Residue, 0.048. Organic Matter, 0.025. Free Ammo- 
nia, 0.00013. Albuminoid Ammonia, 0.00010. Nitrates Nitrites, traces. Chlo- 
rine, 0.006. Mineral Substances, 0.023 Microscopic Examination, nothing 
visible by microscope. 
Opinion—Good water. G. J. De Smedt, Chemist. 9 
6. Spring and Well zoater.—The country residents of Maryland de- 
pend for their supply of water upon springs and wells. Owing to 
the peculiarities of the State, it is proper, in the beginning, to define 
“what is a spring?” and to distinguish it from a well. There are 
surface springs, deep springs, ascending, descending and intermittent 
springs within the State; but the difficulty is to define what is a 
well; as in certain situations in the alluvial lands, water is found 
near the surface of the earth, but not flowing over it. To settle this 
point, let us call that a well when the water is found three feet below 
the surface of the earth, and a spring when at a less depth than this. 
The water from all springs and wells differs from rain water, owing 
to the solution of certain substances found in the crust of the earth 
through which the water has percolated. The nature and amount 
of such substances held in solution must vary with the nature of the 
strata through which the water has passed. The salts which are 
commonly held in solution in spring or well waters are the car- 
Engineer Department, D. C., 
Washington, July 29,1881. 
Analysis of water from Potomac River taken at my laboratory. One litre= 
1000 grammes of this water : 
Appearance, turbid, no taste, no odor. Hardness, 2 degrees, each degree= 
0.00548 CaO.COs. Solid Residue, 0.090. Organic Matter and Volatile, 0.09(3. 
Free Ammonia, 0.00010. Albuminoid Ammonia, 0.00013. Nitrates Nitrites, 
traces. Chlorine, 0.007. Mineral Substances, 0.034. Microscopic Examina- 
tion, infusoria, mineral and vegetable debris. 
Opinion—Good water. G. J. De Smedt, Chemist. 
Engineer Department, D. C., 
Washington, April 6, 1882. 
Analysis of water from Potomac River at my laboratory, Police headquarters. 
One litre=1000 grammes of this water: 
Appearance, turbid, no taste, no odor. Hardness, 2 degrees, each degree= 
CaO.COa 0.00548. Solid Residue, 0.062. Organic Matter and Volatile, 0.020. 
Free Ammonia, 0.00012. Albuminoid Ammonia, 0.0001750. Nitrates Nitrites, 
0.002. Chlorine, 0.006. Mineral Substances, 0.040. Microscopic Examination, 
infusoriae, mineral and vegetable debris. 
After having been filtered through charcoal:—Appearance, brilliant, clear, no 
taste, no odor. Hardness, 2 degrees. Solid Residue, 0.032. Organic Matter 
and Volatile, 0.008. Free Ammonia, 0.00012. Albuminoid Ammonia, 0.00007. 
Nitrates Nitrites, 0.002. Chlorine, 0.006. Mineral Substances, 0.024. Micro- 
scopic Examination, nothing visible by microscope. 
Opinion—Good water. G. J. De Smedt, Chemist. 10 
bonates of lime, magnesia, iron and manganese, the sulphates of lime 
and magnesia, besides other carbonates, sulphates, nitrates or silicates. 
When any of these are present in sufficient quantity to prevent the 
solution of soap, then such spring or well water is termed “ hard,” 
and cannot be used for laundry or some other domestic purposes. It is 
also termed “ limestone water ” throughout the country, and when 
used for drinking by some individiials it causes an acute and violent 
trouble of the digestive organs. Those who have this idiosyncrasy 
must avoid limestone waters. Spring and well water that will dis- 
solve soap is called “ soft” or freestone water. This is highly prized, 
as good for all purposes, and does not produce any disturbance of 
digestion. 
An examination of the geological map drawn by the former State 
geologist, the late Philip Tyson, in 1859, to illustrate his report upon 
the geology of the State of Maryland, will show the variety of strata, 
the number of minerals and other substances found in the crust of the 
earth in Maryland, and a more detailed examination of it will explain 
the cause for the variety of waters found in springs and wells through- 
out the State. This map shows twenty-four different colors, each color 
designating a different geological formation or subterranean substance. 
It further shows that these diversities of formations are all in the 
northern or hilly part of the State. The southern part of both 
shores, that is, from the head waters of Chester river to Pocomoke 
bay on the eastern shore, and from South river to Point Look- 
out on the western shore, the land is homogeneous and of tertiary 
and post-tertiary formation. The map here presented is reduced from 
Mr. Tyson’s larger one, leaving out the various colors designating the 
geological formations in the northern part of the State, and shows his 
survey of the alluvial portions of the State, and his boundaries of its 
cretaceous, tertiary and post-tertiary formations. 
It is upon these level plains that cases of ague and fever are most 
common. The important question to be considered is, why is this 
disease more frequent in the fiat country ? North of the creta- 
ceous belt, and diminishing in frequency in going north, indigenous 
ague and fever is the exception. How shall these well-known facts 
be explained ? 
Should any one undertake to answer this question now, he would 
probably say “ malaria” was the cause of the distinctive and prevail- 
ing disease found in the country of the tertiary or alluvial formations. 
The immediate inference would be, that the atmosphere covering the A\ Mil* 
to illustrate 
THE DRINKING WATERS 
OF 
MARYLAND • 11 
mountains and hills was better than that covering the low lands. 
It has already been said that the toxic principle producing ague and 
fever has not been demonstrated as existing in the air; yet the 
reasons advanced for supposing it to be in the air are good reasons; 
but it would be a great satisfaction, and a valuable step in advance, 
if one was able to be more precise. 
The mass of the inhabitants of the alluvial counties use spring and 
well water. How do the waters in the two sections of the State differ 
as to their sources ? In the hills and mountains, the wells and springs 
are supplied by subterrannean streams and basins. In the level lands 
the water in wells and springs may have three different sources. Eain, 
sinking into the crust of the earth, forming streams and basins under- 
ground, is one source; deep streams coming from the primal forma- 
tions may be another; a third source is the percolation and filtration 
of salt water through the soil from the ocean and bay. At some dis- 
tance from the shore, in alluvial soils, there is a water-line below 
the crust of the earth, where, at a certain depth, the water fluctu- 
ates with the tide. This is now a matter of common observation; 
although, long ago, when Caesar demonstrated it at the siege of 
Alexandria, he received great praises for his sagacity. A notable 
instance of this tidal water line was shown whilst the foundation for 
the Safety Deposit Building in Baltimore was being excavated; and 
thousands of our own inhabitants, living along the shores of the 
Chesapeake bay and the rivers emptying into it, know the fact by 
the brackish water in their springs and wells. The amount of potable 
water furnished from this source along the coast line of the State 
must be large, because, calculating the sinuosities from the bay, 
rivers and ocean, the water line is long, and the soil upon the shores 
is of a character easily permeated by fluids. This will account for 
the contamination of the water in some places, which varies in 
degree from that which is barely perceptible to that which is unfit 
for drinking purposes. This source of water supply constitutes the 
most marked difference which can be found between the waters in 
the two sections of the State; and if this difference in the water is 
ever demonstrated to be a factor in the production of fever and ague 
amongst the inhabitants of the alluvial portions, all preconceived 
ideas of this disease as to its cause, prevention or cure, will be 
changed. Investigation and study are necessary to determine this 
point. 12 
As a commencement or introduction to future study, the length 
of the tide-water line has been measured. It will be interesting, to 
those curious upon the subject, to have its measurement furnished to 
them by counties. This has been done, for this paper, by the kind- 
ness of the Superintendent of the United States Coast and Geodetic 
Survey office, in Washington. His report is given entire. 
U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey Office, 
Washington, March 22, 1882. 
Dr. W. C. Van Bibber. 
Dear Sir:—In compliance with your request, the following table, showing the 
length of the tide-water coast of Maryland, by counties, has been prepared in 
this office. 
For the purpose of making the required measurements, the limits of the 
counties were first marked upon one general small scale chart, in order to give a 
general view of the water lines. The counties having water limits were again 
indicated upon our large scale charts, and a slightly generalized course traced 
along the shores of the rivers and creeks, and then measured in steps of one- 
fourth mile. 
Length of the Tide-water Coast of Maryland. 
[Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay and its rivers on both sides, and East Bank 
of the Potomac River and its branches.] 
Statute 
Miles. 
Atlantic Coast, Worcester County, 82 
Chesapeake Bay, East Side, 
Somerset County, including marsh islands, .... 387 
Dorchester “ “ “ “ 407 
Talbot “ “ ““.... 364 
Queen Anne “ “ “ “ 211 
Kent “ “ 190 
Cecil “ “ “ “ 136 
East Side, 1695 
Chesapeake Bay, West Side, 
Harford County, including marsh islands, .... Ill 
Baltimore “ “ “ “ .... 179 
Anne Arundel“ “ “ “ .... 275 
Calvert “ “ “ “ .... 130 
St. Mary’s “ from Benedict (Patuxent River) to Pt. 
Lookout, 88 
West Side, 783 
Chesapeake Bay, 2478 13 
East Bank of Potomac River. 
St. Mary’s County. From Point Lookout to Bird Creek, 
on the Wicomico River, . . 183 
Charles “ From Bird Creek to Marshall Point . 106 
Prince George “ From Marshall Point to Oxon Creek 
• (D. C. Boundary) .... 16 
East Bank Potomac River . . 305 
Atlantic Coast and Chesapeake Bay and East Bank Potomac 
River. Total 2815 
The charts upon which these measurements were made can be seen at this 
office, at any time. Yours respectfully, 
J. E. Hilgard, Superintendent. 
As the measurement of our coast-line by counties and its total 
length have not been calculated and published before, many of our 
citizens, and others, will be surprised to find that the tide-water coast 
line of the State of Maryland is nearly equal in length to the average 
width of the Atlantic ocean, which is given by geographers at 3000 
miles. 
What application can reasonably be made of this information ? 
The great length of the tide-water coast-line, and the increasing prev- 
alence of ague and fever as it is approached, are two facts which, 
when placed in juxtaposition, naturally suggest cause and effect. 
The effect is admitted; the cause remains a problem. Some years 
ago, Mr. Blower, of Bedford, England, called attention to the fact 
that the real source of ague and fever might be found in the drink- 
ing water, and not in the air, as was then, and is now, generally sup- 
posed.* The discovery which has been made by M. Pasteur, and 
which is at present exciting much interest, gives additional encour- 
agement to prosecute this line of study. If there are disease-germs 
which do not die, but which are to be found by the microscope, long 
after being buried in the ground, then it is by no means improbable 
to suppose that drinking-water, percolating through alluvial soils, 
may be as likely as any atmospheric poison to convey a disease like 
ague-and-fever into the system. 
There are other facts in this connection which will claim the at- 
tention of any one who will undertake its study. A few of them may 
be mentioned. There are situations along the tide-water coast-line, 
and also in the tertiary formations distant from it, where ague and 
* More recently, other discoverers have investigated this subject—Klebs, 
Tomassi and others. 14 
fever does not originate. Those who live in these situations, and who 
have not had ague, present an appearance of health equal to the best 
specimens of vigor found in any other part of the State or country. 
This fact might be accounted for, either by supposing that there are 
certain individuals who are not readily affected by air-poisons, or 
upon the supposition that the poison is not in the air. On the other 
hand, there are persons, mostly engaged in labor deep in the swamps 
of the peninsula, such as the cypress shingle-makers, who have a 
sickly appearance different from any other men in the State. Ague 
and fever is the rule with them. They have the bronzed liver and 
the enlarged, soft spleen. It is supposed now that their disease has 
its origin in the air; but no student coming fresh to the study of 
cause and effect would be willing to take this for granted. Both air 
and water are the common supporters of life, the one as much as the 
other. Both form combinations within the body which renew the 
blood. But if either one of them alone conveys this disease into the 
body, it is done by a different route and in a dissimilar way. If ever 
this question is definitely solved, and drinking water is demonstrated 
to be the conveyer of the poison, then fever and ague will be pre- 
vented and cured by a different means from that which is now used. 
8. River-water, or, as it is called with us, stream or falls-water, 
may properly be regarded as a mixture of rain-water and spring-water, 
plus the mud on the cultivated portion of the water-shed over which 
the water flows, and the detritus in the bed of the streams through 
which the water passes. The impurity of the water is more influ- 
enced by these two latter circumstances than by any other causes. 
Where river-water is used there is a necessity for its purification before 
it is fit for drinking and other domestic purposes. This is effected 
by storage in the first place, and the purification may be further im- 
proved by filtration and boiling. The liydrant-water of this city, 
which is first filtered, then boiled and cooled, is so much improved 
that it is worth all the trouble taken to effect these three processes. 
The census of 1880 has given the population of Maryland, in round 
numbers, at 935,000. It would be fair for our legislators to estimate 
that nearly one-half of the population of the State live on the water- 
sheds, or use the collected waters of two streams, viz. Jones’ falls 
and Gunpowder falls. 
The chief engineer of the water supply of Baltimore has kindly 
furnished for this paper replies to certain questions concerning these 
streams, which, when read, will explain themselves. 15 
Water Department, Chief Engineer’s Office, City Hall, 
Baltimore, March 18, 1882. 
W. C. Van Bibber, M. D.: 
Dear Sir—Please find answers to some of your questions: 
1. Capacity of Gunpowder works in 24 hours, 170 millions gallons. Now 
coming from Gunpowder in 24 hours, from 8 to 10 millions gallons. 
2. Capacity of Jones’ falls in 24 hours, 30 millions gallons. Now coming 
from Jones’ falls in 24 hours, 8 to 10 millions gallons. 
3. We never have been able to determine accurately our consumption, but I 
think it safe to say that we use from 16 to 20 millions gallons; that is, 20 in 
warm weather and 16 in cold. Then take population supplied at 400,000 and 
you will have the per capita. Very respectfully, &c., 
Robert K. Martin, 
Chief Engineer. 
If the population of Baltimore, with its residents and strangers, is 
estimated at 400,000, which is a large estimate, the full capacity of 
the two streams will furnish 500 gallons to each person in twenty- 
four hours. This is a large water supply, being 499 gallons more 
per man per day than is furnished to each person on board ship in 
the United States navy. It is believed that Baltimore has now the 
largest proportional water supply of any known city. 
If the supply is so abundant it is interesting to know something of 
its quality before being collected, and of its management when collected, 
from these two streams. For the investigation of the quality of river 
water in general, the Report of the Medical Commission upon the 
sanitary qualities of different river waters, made to the city of Boston 
in 1874, gives the following points for observation, viz: 
“ 1. The nature of the soil and the configuration of the land where 
the rivers rise and flow; color, taste and general appearance of the 
water; sources of pollution; sewage; manufacturing refuse; density 
of population in drainage areas; chemical composition of the water, 
and its storage.” To this might be added drainage from lands 
enriched by fertilizers. 
The water-shed of Jones’ falls has been surveyed in regard to these 
facts and reported upon; that of the Gunpowder falls has not. The 
headwaters of Jones’ falls are in Baltimore county. The stream flows 
through the Green Spring valley; the towns of Lutherville and Tow- 
sontown are on its water-shed, and the first storage of its water for 
the use of the city of Baltimore is at Lake Roland. After this it 
has three storage lakes, the principal one of which is Druid Lake in 
Druid Hill Park. Analyses of its water have been made by Drs. 16 
David Stewart and R. Buckler, and by Profs. Campbell Morfit, Tonry, 
and Ira Remsen. The water-shed of Gunpowder falls extends over a 
wide range of country through Baltimore and Harford counties and 
into Pennsylvania. Analyses of its water have been made by the 
same persons. The water from the Gunpowder falls is considered to 
be better than that from Jones’ falls by all the analysts. For the 
details of their opinions it is only necessary to refer to the analyses 
which have been mentioned; they are omitted from this paper, be- 
cause they are already on record and can easily be referred to.* 
The color, odor and taste of river-water are subject to changes. 
After hard rains during any season, small streams like Jones’ falls 
and the Gunpowder become muddy; but during the thaws of spring 
this condition is worse than at any other time. The amount of con- 
tamination in the water varies with the particular circumstances of 
each spring. The impurities of river-water may be of two kinds, 
mechanically-suspended impurities and impurities held in solution. 
The former can be got rid of, to a considerable extent, by subsidence 
during storage; the latter can not be got rid of in this way, but only 
by some other process, as by distillation, or a chemical reaction. 
The changes in taste and odor of river-water generally appear to- 
gether. Where there is a disagreeable taste, there is, accompanying 
it, an unpleasant odor, and vice versa. The causes of these changes 
are often difficult, or it may be impossible, to determine, because they 
may depend upon soluble impurities. An illustration of the change 
in taste and odor of water occurred in Baltimore, Boston and 
other places last year. On the 19th of January, 1881, a disagreeable 
taste and odor were observed in the hydrant water of Baltimore. 
Public attention was aroused. The change was remarkable for its 
appearance in midwinter, and for its shifting from one section of the 
city to another. Explanations were freely offered as to the cause of 
this change, by every citizen who considered himself competent to the 
task. Finally, the public-spirited proprietors of the Sun newspaper 
* At the time of writing this paper there was a bill before the Legislature of 
Maryland, then in session at Annapolis, for protecting the purity of the Gun- 
powder water supply. There was every expectation that the bill would be 
made an operative law by the Legislature of 1882. But notwithstanding the 
fact that far more than one-half of the inhabitants of the State use the water from 
these two streams some time during the year, and nearly one-half of the popu- 
lation use it as a constant water supply, the bill was not passed. Why not ? 
Let those interested read the Legislative debates on this subject. 17 
secured the services of Professor Tonry, and the Water Board those 
of Professor Remsen, to study the difficult subject, and report. Pro- 
fessor Tonry gave his opinion, formed from his analysis, that “ the ob- 
jectionable taste, odor and peculiar milky color of the Jones’ falls 
water were due to the decomposition of the sulphates, held in solution, 
passing into the sulphites, and setting free sulphuretted hydrogen gas.” 
The change in the water continued until the middle of April, when 
it disappeared. 
Professor Remsen, of the Johns Hopkins University, reserved his 
opinion, as to Baltimore, and was afterwards engaged in a similar in- 
vestigation for the city of Boston. He arrived in Boston on the 4th 
of November last, and gave his opinion concerning the water of that 
city on the 19th of the same month.* The paper in which the 
opinion is contained is comprehensive, and embodies the facts known 
upon the subject to its date. No abstract can be made that will do 
it justice. The satisfactory conclusion to which Professor Remsen 
brought his investigation is, that the peculiar condition of the water 
in Boston in November, 1881, was due to the presence of the “ Spon- 
gillia Lacustris,” one of the fresh-water sponges. After describing in 
detail the steps by which he made this discovery in Boston, Professor 
Remsen says, “ I have good reason to believe that the contamination 
of the Baltimore water was of the same nature as that with which we 
are at present dealing, viz. the Boston water.” Encouraged by bis 
success in that city, he will, no doubt, be requested to continue his 
investigations here.f 
It is desirable, on sanitary grounds, that the drinking-water of a 
city, where, besides its citizens, more than half the country popula- 
tion of the State assemble some time during the year, and where 
* “ Report of the Joint Standing Committee on Water, on the impurity of the 
water supply, with the report of Professor Ira Remsen on the subject.” Boston, 
Rockwell and Churchill, City printers, No. 39 Arch St. 1881. 
f June 14th, 1882, Baltimore. While this paper was passing through the 
press, another instance of unpleasant taste and odor in the water has occurred 
in Baltimore. It commenced on the 1st of June in the eastern portion of the 
city, and the trouble was traced without much difficulty to Lake Montebello, 
one of the Gunpowder storage lakes. The taste and smell of the water 
were peculiarly nauseous. When the water was found to be clear in Loch 
Raven (the lake at the dam on the Gunpowder falls), it was passed directly 
into the city, thus leaving the two storage lakes to be examined at leisure. 
This admirable arrangement gives ample opportunity to investigate the cause 
of the trouble. The disagreeable odor and taste of the water disappeared on 
the 9th of June. 18 
strangers coma for business and pleasure, should be protected by law 
from any kind of filth or refuse matter. This principle plainly ap- 
plies to Baltimore, but the citizens of Frederick and Cumberland 
require legislation in this respect also.* 
Our citizens have been urged to abandon the pump waters within 
the Baltimore city limits, and use the hydrant water, the cost of 
which has been reduced. The recent Health Commissioner had the 
water from 100 pumps and springs analyzed by Professors Remsen 
and Tonry, and published the results of their analyses. It has been 
advised, by different Boards of Health, to condemn all waters holding 
in solution or suspension more than 50 parts of solid contents in 
100,000 parts of water. The International Medical Congress at 
Brussels put the standard at 85 grains to the gallon. Water from 
one of the pumps in the city was found to contain 207 parts to the 
100,000. Others contained less, as 158.5, 130.2, 99.5, &c. Those 
pumps not coming up to the proper given standard for healthy drink- 
ing water were condemned and dismantled. This most valuable 
work is still going on under the direction of the present Health Com- 
missioner. When it is known that there are over 80,000 nuisance sinks 
and wells at various levels within the city limits of 9600 acres, no 
one will wonder that the pump waters within this area, and even be- 
yond it, should be contaminated. 
In smaller towns also throughout this State, as Cambridge, West- 
minster, Easton, and many others, the water from the different pumps 
throughout the towns should be often and closely examined. The 
presence of nuisance sinks in the neighborhood of a well or spring 
used for drinking water must always be regarded with suspicion, and 
never be permitted to remain without thorough iiivestigation. Even 
in country residences carelessness in this respect has been known to 
produce the saddest consequences, by causing such diseases as typhoid 
fever, diphtheria, &c. 
* “ No sewage of any kind, whether purified or not, should be allowed to enter 
any pond or stream used for domestic purposes. There should be absolute pro- 
hibition in all cases against casting sewage or filth of any kind into any stream 
or pond used as a source of water supply. Where such conditions now exist 
the sewage or filth should be diverted to some other channel. For, until our 
knowledge has so far advanced as to enable us to recognize ‘ germs ’ of disease, 
and to destroy them effectually by some simple and easy process, even purified 
sewage must be looked upon as a dangerous addition to drinking-water.”—Gen- 
eral Report of Mass. Board of Health, 1876, p. 112. 19 
10. Mineral Waters brought by commerce into the State from other 
places, for table and medicinal uses, and sold for the most part at mod- 
erate prices, are principally as follows: “ Deep Rock ” from Oswego 
county in N. Y.; last year the agent for this water sold 70,000 gallons. 
Bedford, from Penn.; Strontia, from Md.; Rock Enon, from Va., Mas- 
sanetta and many others from the same State; Congress, Hathorn 
and Geyser, and others of different medicinal virtues from Saratoga; 
Clysmic, from Wis.; Summit, from Maine; Apollinaris, Rhens, and 
others from Europe. These are a few, selected out of many, that 
now find remunerative sale in this city and throughout the State. 
In life there are always fashions, and at present these are at hightide, 
and cannot rest so long unchanged as they did years ago, when com- 
munication and transportation were more difficult and expensive. The 
custom, or fashion, of furnishing pure drinking water for table, 
family or medical uses, in bottles, at moderate cost, to the inhabitants 
of cities where pure spring water cannot be obtained, is daily in- 
creasing in this country and in Europe. The commerce in the com- 
modity of water is growing, and increasing in favor and in import- 
ance. Any one who will visit a store established for this purpose, 
and see the facilities for handling large quantities of water, will form 
some idea of its extent. The waters coming from this country are 
for the most part received in barrels; they are then bottled, carbon- 
ized when desired, corked, wired and labeled, and furnished at a 
much less cost than beer or ale. We, as physicians, know they are 
less injurious than any alcoholic mixture. It is hoped that soon, 
under the liberal management of this commerce, aided by the edu- 
cated classes of the city and State, together with the temperance 
movement, plain and carbonized waters will be furnished to the 
young people in our cities and towns in gardens more attractive 
than the German lager beer grounds. 
The substitution of cooled, or carbonized water, selected from choice 
springs, and presented in bottles, instead of malted or stronger alcoholic 
drinks, would inaugurate an era of reform and improvement in feelings 
and habits among our citizens. Compared with these stimulating 
drinks, water can be furnished at less cost, and in greater variety. It is 
certainly more healthful, strengthening and delicious; leaving behind 
no headache, bloat or intoxication. Nothing, in this or any other 
State, will suffer from such a change, but the criminal courts, the 
penitentiaries, and early deaths. 
“Water,” says Dr. Hoffman, “is the fittest drink for all persons, of 20 
all ages and temperaments; of all the productions of nature or art it 
comes nearest to that universal remedy so much searched after by 
mankind, but never discovered. By its fluidity and mildness it pro- 
motes a free, equable circulation of the blood and humors through all 
the vessels of the body, upon which the due performance of every 
animal function depends; and hence, water drinkers are not only 
the most active and nimble, but also the most cheerful and sprightly 
of all people And as to the different ages, water is good for 
children, to make their tenacious milky diet thin and easy to digest; 
for youth and middle age, to sweeten and dissolve any scorbutic acri- 
mony or sharpness that may be in the humors, by which means pains 
and obstructions are prevented; and for old people, to moisten and 
mollify their rigid fibres, and to promote a less difficult circulation 
through their hard and shrivelled vessels.” 
That the purity of drinking-water is of the greatest importance to 
the health of every community no one will seriously deny. In the 
rural districts, in the northern part of this State, one may drink 
without fear from the spring which gushes from the ground; but 
when a dense population pollutes the natural strata of the earth, as 
in our cities ; when industrial pursuits tend to contaminate streams, 
as in the neighborhood of manufactories; when necessity compels 
men to live where the water supply is poor, and possibly a source of 
ill health, then the office of investigator and protector becomes im- 
perative. In this connection permit me to recall to your recollection 
what has been already written by two of our most distinguished 
members, whose sentiments, no doubt, we will endorse. “ State Medi- 
cine,” says Prof. Samuel C. Chew, “presents the broadest and 
noblest field in which medical science and art can work for the 
welfare of mankind; for the object to which it opposes itself is 
not merely disease as it occurs in individuals, but as it extends 
over wide areas and threatens multitudes.” “ Moreover,” says Prof. 
Richard McSherry, “ all the water sources in the State intended for 
the consumption of the inhabitants ought to be subject to the super- 
vision of the State Board of Health, aided by a competent chemist; 
and as Baltimore to the other cities, so may Maryland be to the 
other States, at once the most attractive and most salubrious of 
them all.” 
Water, as it is supplied by nature, upon or under the crust of the 
earth, in our own State or elsewhere, depends for its purity, and its 
proper and abundant distribution, after it has been collected for the 21 
use of cities, upon so many circumstances, that the entire subject 
demands much study, embracing as it does so many varied points 
of knowledge. Experience must lend her aid to correct any existing 
opinions which may be erroneous, and also to direct further improve- 
ments in machinery where they are required, and.practical opera- 
tions of every sort. This paper has been prepared, amidst many 
interruptions, in order to make a beginning in this study, and also 
to give what information can at present be collected from different 
sources concerning the various waters found in the State of Maryland, 
and at the same time to advise how they may sometimes be improved ; 
how the waters in onr streams, used for the benefit of the public, 
may be kept pure, and still further purified when it is required; 
what other waters, brought from different places, may be beneficially 
substituted for our own, both in private and public use; and also to 
show which of the waters of the State should be avoided. 
Water may be improved by chemical means, by subsidence, filtra- 
tion, and sometimes by boiling. To keep the water pure in those 
streams which are to be used for the public is an obligation similar 
to the duty and interest which each man has to preserve his own 
health and that of his family. The commerce in water brought from 
springs in or out of the State, which has fairly commenced, deserves 
patronage and extension. It would be an advantage to the State if 
our young people and pleasure-seekers could be induced to use pleas- 
ant waters uncontaminated by alcohol. The waters to be avoided are 
those from springs which are injurious to certain individuals, and 
ice taken from ponds which are not considered pure enough to be 
used for drinking. If this paper should be the means of meeting the 
requirements for which it was intended, there are those amongst us 
who are amply able to carry on the important study. The State of 
Maryland, although small in extent, has singular diversity of surface 
and great resources; the development of these is a common obligation 
and a common benefit. This Society presides over the fountain-head 
of its greatness, which is health; and for the proper management of 
its waters, and the purification of its air, the citizens naturally look 
to you.