Threats to public health and environmental quality from septic systems are more prevalent in areas with poorly draining soils, high water tables, or frequent flooding. Significant research gaps exist in assessing these systems’ vulnerability and evaluating factors associated with higher rates of septic systems replacement and repair. We developed a novel GIS-based framework for assessing septic system vulnerability using a database of known septic system specifications and a modified Soil Topographic Index (STI) that incorporates seasonal high groundwater elevation to assess risks posed to septic systems in coastal Georgia. We tested the hypothesis that both the modified STI and septic system specifications such as tank capacity per bedroom and drainfield type would explain most of the variance in septic system repair and replacement using classification inference tree and generalized logistic regression models. Our modeling results indicate that drainfield type (level vs. mounded) is the most significant variable (p-value < 0.001) in predicting septic systems functionality followed by septic tank capacity per bedroom (p-value < 0.01). These show the importance of septic system design regulations such as a minimum requirement for horizontal separation distance between the bottom of trenches and seasonal water table, and adequate tank capacity design. However, for septic systems with a mounded drainfield and a larger tank capacity per bedroom, the modified STI representing hydrological characteristics of septic system location is a significant predictor of a high septic system repair and replacement rate. The methodology developed in this study can have important implications for managing existing septic systems and planning for future development in coastal areas, especially in an environment of rapid climatic change.

Studies in experimental salicylate poisoning were carried out to ascertain the therapeutic value of gastric lavage and to compare it with the effect of emesis. Fasted dogs, 6 to 10 kg in weight, were given sodium salicylate in tablet form, and lavage was performed or emesis induced at varying time intervals following ingestion. Salicylate recovery was determined in the lavage and emesis fluids. The data indicate that in the recovery of ingested salicylate: 1) Initial aspiration of the stomach before introduction of fluid is equally as important as succeeding lavage. 2) Lavage carried out within 15 minutes is no more effective than emesis induced within 30 minutes of ingestion; 3) lavage carried out 1 hour after ingestion is inefficient and far less effective than emesis produced within the same time interval. 4) Spontaneous emesis is not as effective as induced emesis. 5) Emesis induced immediately, or even when delayed as long as 1½ hours after ingestion, appears to be the more effective and thus the preferable form of therapy. 6) Neither lavage nor emesis under the most optimal conditions are consistent in their effectiveness, so that all patients after either form of therapy should be followed carefully for signs of increasing drug intoxication, and treated if a specific form of therapy is available.