I commenced last January a series of soil and water investigations. A partial report of my investigations was published in the Indianapolis _News_, May 25 and July 13, 1880, and the Indianapolis _Saturday Herald_, June 5, 1880. Since that time with the assistance of the best chemists I have zealously prosecuted the work. It is not an exaggeration to say that no dug well within a mile of Circle street, can be depended upon for a continuous supply of good water. The water furnished to the people by the water works company is no better than the water from the average dug well. Water from deep driven wells is the best well water we have. I found the alleys, by-ways, back yards and stables all through the city in a very filthy condition. Privy vaults have been dug without being cemented, and no care whatever has been taken to keep them clean. The drainage of the city is very defective. It is only along a few of the principal streets that sewers have been constructed, and the greater portion of the city has no drainage at all. It is a very common thing to find standing water and large mud holes in every direction through the city. It is a notable fact that the water level in many cellars corresponds with the water level of dug wells and privy vaults adjacent. Is it any wonder that infant mortality is so great in the city? If “infants of one year and under drink but little water,” they do breathe in this city the deadly gases developed by the action of the hot sun on decaying organic and vegetable matters, and the effluvia arising constantly from overflowing privy vaults and cess-pools. Sickness is sure to follow and death may abruptly terminate the young life. According to the report of the Board of Health the deaths in this city have been since January 1, 1876, as follows: In 1876 the number of deaths were 1,641 ” 1877 ” ” ” ” ” 1,528 ” 1878 ” ” ” ” ” 1,296 ” 1879 ” ” ” ” ” 1,470 ” 1880 ” ” ” ” ” (9 months) 1,352 ——— Total 7,287 Assuming that the population has been 75,125, the annual death rate would be: 21.8 per 1,000 in 1876 20.3 ” ” ” 1877 17.2 ” ” ” 1878 19.5 ” ” ” 1879 23.9 ” ” ” (9 months) 1880 The average would be 20.5 per 1,000 annually which is at least six above what it should be. Herewith I give a table of recent sanitary analyses of our city well and cistern waters, which startlingly outline the impending dangers and serve as texts for many cases of ill health and death already met by those who have drank the waters.