Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-07-13
SANITARY REFORM.


Is any sanitary reform needed in thcst
parts of Tennessee where sickness has beer
most prevalent and fatal during the last siz
weeks? If this question is answered in The
affirmative, it is pertinent to enquire il
what new ana well considered action, thi:
reform shall consist. Il should be in per,
feet harmony with full and correct under.
standing Of our climate. Over twice as
much rain falls in year in Nashville as in
London; and nearly twice as much pei
acre in Tennessee as in Kansas.
Our brick, stone, leg and timber houses sre
very subject 10 have damp rooms, ard espe-
cially easements in cities, which are Unfsv-
orable to health, comfort and longevity.
As man cannot adapt the climate ola coun-
try to his dwelling house, it is the part of
wisdom to adapt bis family residence to his
climate. To 90 this, his climate as affected
by humidity and aridity, heat and cold,
sunshine, rain and cloud, must
be carefully and thoroughly studied.
S we're sickness comes from the lack Of this
naedful study. Such knowledge would not
only remove all Injurious dampness from
sleeping-roOns and all others, bat it would
happily cure al. known nuisances by pre-
venting them. The healing art will b.
brought TO perfection when it is able to pre-
rent disease, and not before. Science can
never reach this stage of development with
out q very considerable amount Of cult.
waited common sense in the community.
So long as the masses violate the laws of
health, and breed pestilence, it is idle To ex-
pect that science or money can give to the
people sound constitutions, and low death
rate as compared with population. All
should know that they live in q climate
which is quite changeable in temperature
and dampness; and that their dwellings,
fires, bedding aud clothing should be made
and used in reference TO these chaugicg
climatic conditions. a wise family can
change its garments and bed covers often,
but not so easily the brick walls Of living
or sleeping room. Keep your bed some
distance from such walls, except when
warmer than the air of the room, when
they are not likely to do harm; for they
Will dry the atmosphere instead Of con-
densing ysp0r. By Turing out, an inch Of
air should be between the plaster Of the
room and the wall behind it, TO prevent
dampness. Air is good non
conductor Of heat, AL sudden changes
of temperature should be avoided
If mankind thought hat 20 much of true
science piled to architecture to promote
health and comfort, as they do Of ostenta-
ton, pride and sham, all needful sanitary
habits and rules would have erown up with
our young and vigorous cities and villages;
but men chasing dollars, are too eager in
the pursuit to notice 100 deaths in q DAY. |
or to seek preyentiyes, Uulesl many fu-
nersls tell against trade and profits. |
This injury does follow sickness, and |
may aid in working out q rttoTm. |
When the errors of dampness, drainage and |
improper ventilation, (either too little or |
too much,) are removed, what is the next !
most prominent defect in cur daily habits
and customs promotive Of disease?
A well constructed house, most c0mf0r-
table clothing and furniture, 60 for moth
ing, if one uses even good, wholesome food
and drink in an improper manner. Here
is a domestic sanitary matter of great
which no sanitary committee
clothed with public authority, can well reach.
What family shall eat, or how their food
shall be cooked, or what shall be done with
the Iesiduum, are domestic questions, yet
they have an important bearing on the
health, not only of the household, bat Of
the neighborbood. If anything is certain
about cholera, or pestilence of any kind, it
is certain that the malady may spread from
its starting point. As small fire may
snread TO destructive confagration, so one
cholera germ or cell, may be-
oct millions, and extend indefinitely.
Has there ever been any true cholera where
there were no people? We think not; at
least we have seen no account Of such
disease taking the aqueous fluids and life
ont of brutes in a few hours as wit
messed in man. If cholera belongs
10 cur species as its origin, and mas
a Germ of auy kind, then beyond all ques-
tom If is a human parasite. This parasite
has lived, as tested by experiment IN
France, in the blood Of dogs. The puplc
have vet to learn the best way TO deal with
this active enemy.