The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-03-08
Sanitary Measures.

We publish below very interesting aru-
ele from the s'tReport OF the Board OF Health
..of New York for the year 1871" and pro-
pose to reproduce, as frequently as practica-
BILE. articles on kindred subjects, and to offer
our own suggestions in relation 70 general
hygiene. In this RaH We shall hone not only
to- interest those whose habits and oppor-
tunities Of study lead them into this Held OF
inquiry, but to instruct and benefit the
masses OF our people, who, from force OF
circumstances, are usually Ignorant upon
these important sanitary questions. Health
Is the paramount interest OF every commu-
nity, and to secure this all measures should
/, be promptly inaugurated and persistently
employed, which by universal consent are
pronounced to be the most beneficial aud
eficaci0us. We are pleased to witness the
energy and determination OF our present
civil administration in this very serious mat
ter. For months past the whole network
OF public drainage has been uncovered and
thoroughly cleaused, and such additional
drains, diagonal and otherwise, trunks and
bitches are in course of construction, as
shall, we doubt not, efectually drain every
foot OF low land within the city limits. The
Board Of Health, regarding this as the most
efficient means OF preserving the public
health, are determined to accomplish this as
the first great specially Of the administra-
tion; and though the treasury OF the city
will not warrant such expenditure OF funds
as may be necessary to accomplish this OBJ
iect as they would desire, still, by economi-
cal and judicious management, they hope to
complete the work to the entire satisfaction
OF the community.
The attention Of our readers is specially
invited to the following article upon ''clean-
..lng the Streets"
!. .sThe constant sweeping of the streets s 30
essentially necessary to the preservtion OF
health that it seems scarcely worth while TO
refer to 1t. Yet 1t Is supposed by some that,
unless the accumulation of mud or dirt
becomes so great as to be offeneive, scaV-
enperinc is useless expense; and it is
probable that II 1t were put 10 vote
In some cities whether the streets should
he swept twice instead Of three times a
week-the latter materially Increasing the
expense-it would be decided In favor Of
sweeping but twice. It is not, however, gen.
orally known that there Is sometimes more
danger. to the health of q city from removing
an accumulation of refuse matter than to leave
It alone. For this reason frequent scavenger-
ing becomes a necessity. II the refuse has
once been suffered to accumulate, 1t should
not be removed In hot weather. An attempt
to clean the streets of Vera Cruz, after they
had been neglected for some time, almost In
yolred the destruction Of that portion of our
army stationed there during the war with
Mexico.
"The material obtained from the streets has,
In many instances, been used for filling
sunken lois and rpdeeming low ground. No
greater folly could possibly be exhibited, for
such a course has nerer tasled to be tolloaoed
oy the most aggravated feuers; besides, the ma
terial properly belongs to agriculture, 30 that,
In an economical view, it Is wrong so TO dis
pose of it. The proper course to pursue is to
secure piece of waste ground outside the
limits of the city as place Of deposit for this
material. By o proper arrangement of pits,
night soil, and even cfal, might be added to
this deposit; and IN time most uatuabte ac-
eu,nulasion of the richest kind OF Jert'tlslng
material aoould yield reuenAs TO the city.
"all the streets should be swept at least
three times o week, and the thoroughtares
everv night. The manner in which 1t is done
IN Paris exhibits the advantages derived from
thorough system. The general supervision
Of t,is brunch Of municipal administration is