Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-06-16
THE CrTY-THE PUBLIC HEALTH.

After having passed through the disorder
consequent upon the presence of large
armies, and suffered the mischiefs incident
to a state Of war-the neglect Of constantly
needed repairs, and an almost utter paraly-
sis of improyement-the citizens of Nash
vile have cause TO congratulate themselves
upon the rapid renovation which their city
has undergone in the past twelve-month.
Indeed, in many important features, the
city Is not behind any Of its size in the
country. Its water facilities are ample and
well-managed its fire department is thor
ough and under excellent discipline; its po-
lice are men Of good character and qualif-
cations-discreet and well commanded; its
school system is re-established and in sue
cessful operation; its streets are more scien-
tifcally constructed, and in better order
than ever before in its history; it is not out
Of debt, but its finances, though expenses are
heavy, are being, so far as we know, judi
ciously managed. All these are matters
which we can think of with satisfaction.
In only one respect is the city deficient
it needs a system Of wise and prevalent sani-
tary regulations. There is perhaps no city Of
equal pretensions on the continent so dere-
lict in this regard. We do not know, unless
in seasons of malignant epidemic, that the
city has ever disbursed dollar for health
purposes, except incidentally by way of re-
moval Of the superficial filth out of regard
for ordinary cleanliness and decency. This
should not he. Cincinnati, Louisville, St.
Louis, Chicago, Memphis, New Orleans,
Mobile, Savannah, Charleston-to say moth
ing of the great Eastern cities-all have
permanent health organizations established
by city ordinances, and placed in charge of
competent medical men, and according 10
their requirements, as literally supported as
other matters ofmunicipal care. These cities
have rightly regarded a sanitary system as
Quoted city as a fire department, police or
ganization, or a water works. 1t is in fact
a specific municipal object. The congre-
cation of large numbers Of persons is condu-
Give 10 disease, and since cities have been
built by men, to repress the causes and over
come this tendency has been held as a most
important duty. The draining of neighbor-
ing marshes, the building of conduits for
filth, and the establishment of public baths
are prominently mentioned in the history of
the polite cities of antiquity. Observation
and the instinct of self-preservation taught
this much TO communities prior to the era of
science. Since, by the advance of knOwl-
edge, man has learned more of his power
to control material agencies, and of
their power for good and evil, and intelligent
bodies Of men have wisely availed them
selves Of it to guard against the infections,
contagious and epidemics which are in
duced and aggravated by the causes con-
stantly in operation in cities. Hygiene is a
science, and the laws of health which it pro.
mulgates cannot be neglected with IMMUNITY.
When masses Of men are thrown together
hiiS NiiC Vi OhS liulNAuudl iS W lllnscll anu
his immediate surroundings is not sufficient
There must be general regulations on the
subject devised and enforced by men compe-
tent 10 understand and administer them ju-
diciously.
We learn that the medical faculty of this
city have organized Board of Health, to
consist of two physicians from each ward.
This movement is commendable, and needs
but the cooperation of the corporate author
tiles 10 inaugurate thorough sanitary Or
ganization. Medical men who meet disease
in every way and in every form are aware
of its sources, and propose to offer sugges-
tiOns for their suppression. 1t is the duty
Of the city government TO extend them every
aid in their power. We are not informed as
to the mode of operations proposed by this
board but in behalf Of the community we
have to say to the council that the subject of
the public health is one which must not be
neglected, or shelved under the table for any
cause. We apprehend that no prodigal out
Law Of money l. required, la -aose..eIIo
expenditure to equip efficient health officers
with the means Of doing the services required
of them, and laws to enforce the orders of
the Health Board under which they act,
constitute 4 crying public necessity, which
shou Id not be overlooked