The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1864-03-22
Dr.. L.. L. Coleman on City Hyglene---
The Dust and the Importance Of
Watering the Streets, &c.

Editors OF the CHt0n.
In my former letter upon this sub
ject, l endeavored to press upon the
attention of the city authorities the
propriety of Immediately deyising and
instituting measures to cleanse and dis
infect the city before the approach OF
warm weather. Since that writing, ]
am forced to say, that my unpleasant
forebodings are being realized in a IA
pid increase of sickness, arising from
the morbific causes therein referred to.
1t is the concurrent opinion Of the
most popular and distinguished physi-
clans of the city, that there is more
sickness in Nashville at this time than
there has been for many years previ-
ously If this is so, at this usually
healthy season of the year, what other
legitimate calculations can we make
than that the hot dog-days of summer
will bring with them perfect carnival
of disease.
The pestiferous influences spoken OF
in my former article, has neither been
removed, nor abated, in the least; but
on the contrary these foul and fetid ac-
cumulations of decomposing matter
have increased, and are daily augment
ing to fearful extent.
1t is true that the military authOri
ties are employing all the surplus labor
at their command, to repair and purify
the streets and allies, but, | regret to
say that their praiseworthy exertions
have evoked no concert of action from
our Municipabauthorities, to whom we
look, and whose duty and province it is
to lead in these matters. If money is
necessary to secure so great beside
ratum' as the health of the city, it
should be collected by assessing a tax
commensurate to the accomplishment
of the object.-For health is a para
mount secular blessing to all Without
it there can be no real happiness or
pleasure. Its loss would be repurchas-
ed, at any price by the confirmed inya-
lid or the expiring miser, who has bar
tered it away in pursuit Of wealth, to
the entire neglect Of his personal com
fort and well being. Inestimable and
peerless as is this great temporal boon,
it is strange to observe how cagaliosly
those in the possession OF itreally value
this priceless jewel
It is melancholy to behold, each day,
the vast concourse Of mortality pouring
through the streets of Nashville intent
upon but one purpose-the accumula-
ton of 4" Grecsbdcks " to the exclusion OF
all other considerations of honor or pro
fit. With an aVidity and greed worthy a
higher purpose and loftier end, they
rush madly on to the attainment Of this
groveling desire, utterly regardless OF
their duties to themselves, society and
their God. They neglect to employ the
means that an All Wise Providence has
placed within their grasp to fortify and
protect themselves against the rayages
Of disease.
They would murmur if asked to aid
and assist in the Identification of the
town-a matter Of as vital interest to
them as any other men This is a
strange faulty to our nature. The
health of the City IS, AID o,4gAt 70 Ls, an
object of common interest to all and
all should mutually cooperate for its
preservation, because the happiness and
pleasure of all are equally involved
Yet, as | have before stated, it is sur
prising to see with what apathy we daily
move on, in quest Of the " almighty dol
lar" whilst the nocuous seeds Of a
blighting disease scattered broadcast
over the city, are terminating, and un-
less arrested, must soon bud, bloom and
fructify into fruitful harvest Of fatal
epidemics. Now, seriously, what would
il profit you if you should gain the
whole world Of GreenJacks," and lose
your own health in the attainment Of
your object?
When pale death knocks at your door
would you not willingly part with every
s'icer to purchase a few years exemp-
ton?
Why then hazard so much for so lit
tie ? Why then like the base Jp.leon
throw away pearl, '.tor a msss Of Pot
ags Does not wisdom teach, and pru-
dence counsel Us to perpetuate the
blessing whilst it yet is ours? Ought
We not freely to contribute our mOity
t. romove existing causes threatening
our existence7
I am pleased to notice that our ss'i-
mabls vigilsnt energetic and indsfati-
sakIe provost Msrshal-Lieut Col