The Portland daily press., 1873-04-23
The Massachusetts, Board of Health.

The fourth annual report Oft the Massachu-
setos Board of Health makes book of five
hundred pages and contains, Of course, a
great amount of information both curious and
valuable.
In the report the matter of drainage and
sewerage in connection with the health of
cities and towns is largely noticed. We en-
dorse the idea that the intelligent enforce
naent Of sanitary regulations will ward off half
the fevers. consumptions, etc.; and the en-
lightenment Of the people by such informa-
ton as this volume contains will greatly les
sen disease. In this connection the pollution
OF steam and the water supplies of towns are
noticed, opening up vast question in con-
nection with the subject of drainage for the
conside.~tio of the future.
One of the most important topics consider
ed was that treated by P. Emery Aldrich,
use and abuse of intoxicating liquors, giving
a great deal OF evidence gathered from cores
pondents and authentic sources. He takes
issue with the conclusion of report of the
chairman of the board, Mr.. Bowditch, last
year, that the permission to sell light ales,
beer and wine would promote temperance in
New England. The result of his inquiry is
that beer shops cause and increase intemper-
ance, and that their influence is bad and only
bad. The use of light wines results in The
habit of using stronger and more dangerous
stimulants. In California the abundance and
chsapness of wines have fearfuIly increased
the amount of intemperance. Speaking of
the Swedes, he says the nation rose and fell,
grew prosperous or degraded, as the rulers
restrained or permitted the manufacture and
salebf that which all along its history has
seemed to be the nations greatest curse. It
is the testimony Of a great number of official
persons in Massachusetts that the sale of ale
and beer increases crime.
One of the papers Of the greatest interest is
by DR.. George Derby. the secretary, on the
food of the people of Massachusetts,. Want
Of proper food is one of the chief causes of
consumption. He presents mass of an
swers of correspondents to his circulars, ask
ing about the sort and quality of food in use,
the cooking, etc. The result is not very en-
eouraging. Dyspepsia is prevalent in some
communities on account of bad food and the
inordinate use of tea and coffee. The MAX
ing of good bread is rare, it is lost art.
There is a great consumption of the abomina-
Bile pie and cakes. Pies are eaten twice a
day by most people in Massachusetts, above
the age Of five, and if lunch is called for, it
is generally pie. Country bakers distribute
more pies than loaves of bread. The. average
Massachusetts, pie fused as staple of food
and not as an addition to a dinner) is made
Of -four, water and salt, mixed with "short-
ening," which consists Of the cheapest fat,
hogs lard or the lowest grade OF butter, to
which is often added carbonate ofsoda. This
paste encloses chopped meat, seasoned with
hogs fat and spices, the meat, like the but
ter, being of the poorest kind, such as could
not be eaten in any other form except sausa-
ges ;and the spices cover the taste of the meat;
or some sort Of fruit is used to fill the flaps of
indigestible dough. Another fruitful source
of disease is the ''bolt:ng'' of the food The
average time devoted to each meal by the geo
pie ofthe state does not exceed twelve to fif-
teen minutes. A great quantity of ali is swal-
lowed in eating in haste. The excessive use
of water at meals is another great cause of
dyspepsia, the food is unduly diluted and the
stomach is chilled. washing down. the
food with frequent draughts of water is one
OF the most pernicious habits, and it it only
habit.
These are only a few of the topics treated
of in the large volume; and what is rather
unusual the matters are all of the highest
importance and the most of the dangers point
ed out may be remedied by the people them
selves. Indeed, the few matters to which we
have.called attention above will afford ample
ground to begin the renewal OF their civiliza-
ton