The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-03-30

mid or;Seab0ard atmOSpntEe, 4uo OK AnoAo
g. less saturated with organicsSpartlcles de-
lived from animal life, held as it were in
solution. II any. one ;of these condi-
tions be absent, its absence alone would
probably constitute such an invisible barrier
as is described. The committee illustrate
this point by the course OF the fever in 1927.
Sporadic cases Of fever are attributed by the
committee to visits to the locality in which
fever germs have been preserved or intro
daced; or, in winter, to the preservation OF
the germs in apartments never penetrated
BY the winters cold, which germs would be-
come active when the conditions were faVo-
rable.
Upon the vexed question whether yellow
fever is or is not native Of Charleston, the
committee are very emphatic. The history
of the city demonstrates the two following
propositions:
l. That the germs of yellow fever can be In
troduced Into The city from without, and that
ali our most violent epldemies of this fatal
disease have been due to such Introduction.
2. That sporadic cases of yellow fever occur
almost every summer, and occasionally lgnt
epidemics like the present, or epldemlcs o.
fever such as ''breakbone," or dengue, having
strong aflnities With yellow fever, pervade
the city, when it seems certain that no anect-
ed air has been introduced from without.
These propositions have been the basis oil
distinct and aptsgouistic views OF the origin
of yellow fever. The true theory must equal
ly account for both sets Of facts, and the
committee submit their theory in series OF
propositions, the first Of which is that yel-
low fever sis not native grosoth Of the city
of Charleston" These propositions appear to
us to bear on their face the evidence OF their
soundness. The committee support their
views, We may add, by Illustrations drawn
from the epidemic OF 1864, and the meas
measures successfully adopted for the pro-
lection ef the unacclimated Federal prison.
ers. The committee, therefore, say:
I. We must prevent the introduction of yel-
low lever germs by rigid enforcement OF quar-
antine.
2. We must use every possible means of de-
srong s0ss s7 SRSa 7e fss bs S
unsupported places
8. We must eliminate all sources of putre-
faction and fermentation, as these processes
going on In crowded city Will certainly pro-
duce sickness OF some kind, and furnlsn one
of the necessary conditions tor the evoluIion
of such yellow fever germs as may Bull eF.st,
or may hereafter be ini .oduced from tne
tropics.
The committee make some valuable suS-
gestions on the subject Of quarantine, and
the application OF artiicially produced cold
to vessels and houses. They recommend that
an interdict be placed upon all maedtQing
aoih Me mud of drains and sinks beta0een
the months of May and Noven6er; for they
believe that the yellow fever Of last year was
literally dug gup out of the drains opened in
June. The committee give other instances
in which like cause has produced similar
effects. They submit some pregnant sugges-
tions in regard to drainage, and the value OF
an abundant supply Of pure water, and lay
down two rules OF paramount importance:
l. No surface breaking OF any kind should
be permitted In any part Of the city, whether
in public streets or private lois, during sum.
mer.
q. While, on the contrary, all surface-break-
ing In the depths Of winter is absolutely bene-
fetal, by destroying such diseased germs as
may be hidden in the earth.
Upon the subject Of disinfectants and their
use the report Of the committee is especially
clear and precise. They recommend the use
OF a particular class Of disinfectants, show
their value, and finally urge the establish
ment and maintenance OF sanitary police,
(which should be appointed by the City
Government, and the duties OF which
tshould be defined by proper ordinances,
(which would embrace the systematic in
stspection and thorough cleansing and dis.
''iniecting OF all drains, privies, &c. Under
sthis head should be embraced the examina-
stion of all unpaved streets, alleys, &C., in
Preference to their proper drainage, also
sthe examination and proper reconstruc-
stion of all surface drains, so that no water
''should remain to become stagnant
ssunder the influence Of the rays OF the sun.
"Under the supervision OF this police, all
ssfaecal matter and other filth should be re-
'.moved during the winter, and, after their
removal, such disinfectants should be ap-
.'plied as may hereafter be determined
"upon: likewise the cleaning OF all drains
''should be restricted absolutely to the a0trtere
"naonthS, when the cold weather prevents
'the rapid decomposition OF the accumu-
slated filth; and the free use OF disinfectants
sis recommended to be begun with at this
slime and continued on systematically 40
'tstated intervals"
Long as this article may appear it gives
but poor idea OF the fullness and thorough
ness OF the report before US. The subject
is one Of paramount Importance to the city,
and we hope that steps will be taken to
carry the recommendations OF the commit
tee into practical effect. They have done
their part, and have done it well. The city
must do the rest
nlnsieaI Books.