The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1871-08-26
The Public Health.

ulSedeCe IuiD aDEOdu. OuT previous exemption
IN these respects has led to a public carelessness
and apathy, out of which it is time that the
community was aroused. 1t is settled beyond
controversy. that filth, whether animal or vege-
liable, and particularly the latter, is provocative
of disease, and has a mighty influence in deter
mining its progress. Attention to cleanliness
Will e~xiirpate the latent seeds of disease. destroy
the peculiar substances upon which it feeds.
There should therefore be n strict observance of
sanitary laws in all places, especially in this city,
that shall be effective in preventing the spread of
disease, should it he bred in our midst, or,
which is not impossible nor improbable, be
brought hither by ship in these days Of speedy
and universal travel. The terrible Asiatic chO-
lera, that mysterious scourge of the nations. is
now on its slow but sure march westward, and
will doubtless find its way to California, our
nearest neighbor, as it has before. We have
now in our waters a ship direct from Buenos
Ayres,@which port she left less than two months
ago,-and there the dreaded yellow fever has
been busy, carrying off, as the newspapers re-
port, over % 600 of the inhabitants. The idea
appears somehow to have gained credence here,
that owing to our situation in the course of the
trade winds. we are therefore exempt from the
visitation of these or similar epidemics. Let US
not allow this delusiOn to lead us astray.
We assert as u fact that is patent to any OBJ
server, that the sanitary condition of this city is
such as in itself might easily breed a pestilcnce,
were the trade winds, as they sometimes do at
this season, fail us altogether, 10 be succeeded
for weeks together by light airs from the south.
Garbage is plenty in yards and streets, and half
rotten vegetables are stored in cellars. The hot
sun is n putrilyer, and with it's heat chemical
laws are active, and noxious and deleterious
gases are abundant. Vaults-ncyer emptied in
Honolulu-and cess-pOols. are in q fcrment
their exhalations load the air, and these are
amongst the most pernicious elements Of disease.
With the hot weather which has for months pre-
vailed, and still continues, and the accumulation
of decaying vegetables, fish, and garbage to
ferment and decay, together with the noisone
exhalatiOns of vaults, the seeds of disease are
daily generated, to ripcn and become active in
the community on the first opportunity that
offers.
We do not make these statements for the pur-
pose of exciting alarm, but to impress the i'm
pOrtance of the most rigid sanitary measures
being taken by the proper authorities. And the
Board of Health, if there be such a body in
existence, is the proper authority to act in this
case. The fact of the Boards having any legal
existence was seriously questioned by correspond
ent of this journal in June last, and it's ~inaction
at this time would indeed apparently lead to the
conclusion of its non-existence. The Govern
ment itself, too, seems to have become impressed
with this view, for the organ of Wednesday last
complains piteously and helplessly lin Il small
item, by the way) of the = disreputable state of
filth in certain parts Of the town. and of = the
stencil, in some of the alleys and streets about
town, almost unbeanble." If it shall appear
and we have no doubt of the fact in a legal sense
that the Board of Health has inadvertently
been abolished, the sooner it is re-created the
better. Timely attention to this subject by the
ruling genius of the Cabinet, may prevent I'M
pleasant consequences.
1t is now about five years ago since the Board
of Health showed any marked signs of vitality.
During the summer of 1865, considerable atten-
ton was drawn to the sanitary condition Of tlris
city, and an attempt was made to have a general
cleaning of the Augean stable. 4 new Board Of
Health had been appointed that year, consisting
of Drs. Hillcbrsnd and Hutchinson, and Messrs.
kamakau and Heuek. Agents were employed,
and to some extent the purlieus of the city were
visited and the occupants compelled to clean up
oT he bucd- Bat that was some time ago, ard a
neT Board has since been appointed. In June,
}ao5, the then Board published i set Of sanitary
ruies, which. If strictly carried out now, by an
agent specially qppointed, viii be what is impeF-
stively needed We reproduce these rules, fer
the public benefit, and Is d hint 10 the Board Of
Health-if there is such a body.
Regulations of the Board Of Health.
1st- The Board Of Health, or its agent, will visit the fish,
vegetable anu meat markets, or other places where such arti-
Giles are exposed for sale, at any time il may dem iii. ordering
said markets or places TO be pr perry cleaned, and any de-
cayed animal or vegetable matter TO be Immediately removed
therefrOm.