In the summer of 1907, Washington, D.C. officials faced a public health problem that seems almost unthinkable today: children drinking from horse troughs in the city streets.
The shallow wells had been closed by order of the District Commissioners, cutting off one source of drinking water for residents. But in the August heat, thirsty children found another source wherever they could.
Unfortunately, some of them were turning to the same troughs used by horses and other animals.
Major Sylvester, concerned that the practice could lead to illness, sent orders to police precincts across the District. There was no law against children drinking from the troughs, he admitted. Still, he believed the police could help by warning children and their parents away from the dangerous water.
Urchins Drinking at Horse Trough
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Following the closing of the shallow wells of the city by the District Commissioners, Major Sylvester has found it necessary to order all his men to do what they can to prevent the children of Washington drinking out of the troughs built for watering horses and other animals.
Major Sylvester bases his order to the policemen on the ground that the health of children is threatened by their drinking out of horse troughs.
While stating that there is no law or regulation against the children slaking their thirst at the troughs, the major tells his men they can do good work by keeping the children away from the troughs.
The order, which went from the major’s office to every precinct in the District of Columbia, reads:
“Captain: Have the officers to do what they can by giving proper advice to children to abstain from drinking from watering troughs put up for horses and other animals. Dangerous results may follow the use of water from these sources by children.
“There is no law or regulation against it, but the police can do a good work by making proper suggestions to children or their parents.”
The Washington Times. Washington, D.C. August 1, 1907.
