Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-06-09
THE SANITARY CONDITION OF
THE CITY.
ADMIRATION TOCHOLERA
Is BOARD of Health Necessary?
Memphis Behind, as Usual. I'm
Cleansing Streets and Alleys,
Who is Responsible?

The sanitary condition of Memphis ri
the present time is In a deplorable state.
The warm weather is coming fast upoa
US, and from all appearances we cannot
we'll escape the visitation OF an epidemic
before the summer Is over, and indeed
the apathy shown by the city authorities
seems to extend the invitation and say.
come on, " grim visaged DEATH and take
the best n fairest Of our people; take
your chance, we will do nothing TO pre-
vent, we care not whether the city Is In
a healthy state or not, we enjoy Our po-
sitions and take little pains 20 inquire as
to the health Of the people. We haveno
hospital within the city limits; our
streets, alleys and by-ways are in aIilthy
state; the cutters are choked pools of
stagnant water are allowed TO remain IN
cared for in every conceivable spot ;
back yards and water closets have not
been cleansed of their oflal for months /;
Stops and all sorts Of rubbish is daily de-
posted in the streets and alleys aud yThe
slop carts are allowed 20 remain 6.1e.
/ Come on, thou hungry monster with
scythe and sickle to reap the rich har-
vest that awaits you. This would appear
to be the invitation given to an epidemic
to visit Memphis. The season is ap-
preaching when we may reasonably *
pect It.. One would suppose that the
dreadful lesson taught us last summer
would have some effect upon the city
fathers, and that ere this a board Of health
would have been appointed, a health
officer installed, and some NEAR taken
10 cleanse the city before dog days; but
not so, The most wise and i%udiciOus
/ rulers have no such thoughts. They have
/ got pavements and water-works on the
| brain, two very good measures, by the
way and not a single effort is made TO
s~ecursthe health Of the city. Alderman
I Smith did introduce an ordinance, which
passed, and that was the last OF II.
Whether il viii ever be resuTrected or
not, is a very great question. 1t Is said
that the board Of mayor \ aldermen
object to q board OF health on account OF
! the expeuse. According to that argu-
ment, human life is Of NJ value. They
will pav nothing to preserve ii. But weare
| of opinion that q board Of health would
cost but little. Last year there was only
enc salaried officer connected with II,
and that was the secretary and health
officer, and he fully earned more than
| be received The board was composed
lnf oar first class physicians. Such men
as Irwin. Taylor, Early Keller, Otey,
Willett, Pittmau, Creighton, and others
who never, as far as we could learn, re-
ceived a single dollar for their services.
They Iabored day and night faithfully,
| earnestly, and cheerfully without fee or
/ reward, or the hope thereof, but from
purely philanthropic motives for the
good OF their fellOw-citizens and we be-
| lieve from the high standing OF these
gentlemen that they would do it again,
IL necessary, for the welfare Of the COM
munity. The amount Of money paid to
officers of the hospital board who do no
conceivable good, would go far toward
| cleaning the city and keep the slop carts,
which are now lying idle, in faithful
operation. 10 looking over our ex-
| changes we find that vigorous measures
| are being taken in all large cities to ward
| of disease by cleansing all places that
require it, bat Memphis is ia the rear.
! Months sgO we urged the necessity OF
active measures being taken in this par
ticuIar. but OF no avail. Who is answer
able for this neglect ? Echo answers,
wno9 Truly, we are a patient people!