( 55 )
A. Yes.
631.--But you yourself would not put that down to the drains? You would simply say it is not such a nice place to live in now?
A. I cannot account for it.
I know the smells have increased very much during
the last few years.
632.-But you
By Dr. Jordan.
don't think the fever is due to the drains?
A.-I think, myself, speaking broadly, the unhealthiness of West Point must have been assisted during late years by the increase of the population and the increase of filth--the gradual increase of filth and the immense population below there.
By Dr. Yarr.
633. Had you any opportunity of watching the illness of your other servants besides the cook.
A.—No, the cook was the one I had most to do with, because I was very anxious about him and went over and over again to try to get medical assistance for him, but I did not succeed, as he lived with his wife and family and they would not allow anything to be done for him. Most of the others, after getting thoroughly ill, went away to the country and came back again, some after a period of three or four months.
18th February.
EVIDENCE OF MR. A. G. AITKIN.
By the Chairman.
634. I believe Mr. AITKIN you did not sign this petition?
A.-No.
635.-But you are desirous of giving us any information you can?
A.--I will be only too willing.
636.-I must ask you these questions we have agreed to put to each witness.
you
fever in 1887?
A. Yes.
Had
637.-How often and what dates?
A. I cannot tell you the dates but I had it four or five times during the summer; from about the middle of the year to the end.
638.-Were these attacks all of the same character?
A. Some were more severe than others.
attended with retching and vomiting.
Towards the end of the year they were
639. Had you any shivering followed by heat and sweating?
A. No, I cannot say I had shivering, but I felt a cold sweat running down my back.