Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-07-03

The present sanitary condition of the country
J. such as TO excite serious apprehension. Ply
sieians say that the alarming prevalence of
disease, both as regards yirulence and extent, is
unparalleled in their professional practice.
LEGAL causes may account for . small proper
ticn C Ike prevailing diseases, but in the main
they are generally attributed to certain
usual conditions of the atmosphere induced by
lack of rain and other natural causes. Water
is powerful dsinfectant, and it is reasonable
TO suppose that in the absence of the usual
supply various deleterious substances have
accumulated on the earth's surface and created
miasn which has sowp the seeds of disease
and affected the general health of the entire
country. Within the last few weeks the death
rate in ell of our large cities has increased
materially, and In New York an excess
of 10 deaths over those of the pre-
yiOus week was reported for last week.
In Philadelphia and Baltimore there is
a corresponding increase in the number OF
deaths, and in the latter city fifty from
small pcx alone were reported last week. A
medical gentlem an who lived for a long time in
that city says that the number of deaths from
small Iox reported weekly in Baltimore may
safely be multiplied by two, as not more than
one half of the cases are ever brought to the at
tention OF the health authorities. The fact has
already been remarked that in the case of small
FOX the warm weather, which usually tends to
lessen the rate of mortality has contrary effect
this summer, the disease seeming to increase in
extent and virulence in all large towns 1t is
true that ii has not yet assumed the magnitude
OF aplagGe or restilence such as have afflicted
certain portions OF the globe at different periods
but the fact Il indisputable that 1t has reached
that stage when medical men are becoming
alarmed at their inability to localize it, or to
=
STAR, the president Of our board of health, at
late meeting of that body, referred to the
fact that this losthsome disease is scourging the
entire country; that it is steadily on the increase
in all sections; and recommended, in view of the
vital Importance of the subject, that a COM
m1ttee take the matter in charge, and after a
most careful and thorough investigation report
their views to the board. The report of
this committee was published in yesterdays
STAR. In connection with the sub
ject Of small pox, il may be important to
state that il is the concurrent testimony of
medical men that Incorporate persons are
much more liable to contract the disease
than people of regular and temperate
habits, and that the death rate among
the latter is much less than among the former
class. They also say that the best way to avoid
contracting the disease is to wear linen clothing
keep the stomach well filed and the bowels
regular, and by all means TO avoid the use of
spirituous liquors. These hints people will do
well TO heed. Our citizensj lust now cannot be too
careful to keep their yards and alleys in a clean
condition, since. as we have before stated, much
of the prevailing sickness is due to local causes
such as stagnant pools, the accumulation of
filth, sc. To this end disibfeetants should be
freely used. few cents spent weekly in this
way "oaid doubtless prevent very many cases
OF disease and death.