The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1873-09-11
Report Ofthe Health Officer
System of Drainage Recon-.
mended.

than seven, but while Nature has
provided handsomely, and indeed 1
might say lavishly, pleasant site for
a beautiful and healthful place, our
innovations upon Natures plat, to
meet the demands of increasing bust
ness, open for us fine and inviting
field for improvements necessary for
our own protection and comfort.
And here I would like to present a
few facts, perhaps apparent to all,
but nevertheless worthy of considera-
ton by your honorable body, should
I succeed in fairly presenting them.
The town site is underlaid with
strata or beds of limestone, which
affords complete water shed and
conductor for the waste surface wa
ter, into many Of the wells, before
tits cleansed or purified. This rock
surface in many places is within
few inches of the top of the ground.
In such localities it is impossible for
the water to be sufficiently filtered
to purify itself-not perhaps an ounce
of pure earth to pass through before
reaching a cistern or well And to
day, with the great abundance of
surface water from late heavy rains,
there is considerable number of
residences and tenements where it
would be impossible to get cupful
of pure, clean water. This, too, while
we have great abundance of as pure
water as Nature has provided in any
locality upon the habitable globe.
1t appears to me that this could
and should be avoided. First of all,
wells of this kind should be sunk to
a sufficient depth below the rock
to afford supply of water from veins
or leaders beneath, not relying upon
surface water for a supply. Then,
where this filthy water finds its way
into the well or cistern from above,
they should be carefully protected by
gooo thick walls, closely laid in ce-
ment, adhering to the rock surface
below, and extending a sufficient dis
ance above ground to preclude the
possibility of the surface water find
ing its way into the water intended
for use.
By these means, the water afforded
would be in great abundance and of
the best and purest quality. With
these improvements in cisterns and
wells, together with complete sys-
tenn of Se,oerage from the level plat
eau in the centre of town to some
convenient outlet in the suburbs, af-
fording a drainage to all the plague
producing and fever-inviting pools and
puddles of the place, we could have
Hillsboro as justly celebrated for a
healthful location when city as it
was as a Hamlet, or is ,a0aoa as the
':ModeI T'0qon."
These sewers should be directed
bya competent engineer, regularly
plated and preserved with other rec
ords. While this would be a great
convenience to almost every individ-
ual property owner and citizen, by
aftordinga cheap outlet for individual
drains, it would be in the aggregate
economizing to a great extent in the
general drainage of the town. What
would a few hundred dollars ex-
pended in this way be, in considera-
ton of the benefits to be derived from
it, the result being health, which is
said to be wealth, comfort and happi-
ness?
We hear frequently Of impure air
and impure water generating epidem-
ic diseases. Suppose I assert that
atmospheric air and water in nor
NAL or elementary condition are al
ways pure, and remain so until rem
dered impure by confinement OR by
coming in contact and being saturat-
ed with uncleanliness. They are the
true symbols of purity. The causes
which render them impure are per-
haps more various or lnultitudnous
than the shades of light and color
combined, and their effects upon the
animal economy in producing disease
not less numerous. Any type and
variety of disease, from the cold
plague to the slightest indisposition of
the capricious dyspeptic, may be there
suit, not of impure air or impure wa
ter, but of impurities IN the air or
water.
Two elements so absolutely nee
ess,ry in the economy Of Nature and
ind spensablein life, should be care
fully guarded from impurities by all
local influences, resulting from gross
neglect upon our part. Some one
has said in substance that the purity
of air or water in particular section
is not attributed to unearthly sounds
of mysterious words or unchristian
ceremonies, but to systematized Ia
Dor. Then let us continue to labor.
Under the direction of the Town
Marshal, good work has been done
since my former report. Hoping for
a continuous effort upon the part of
all, respectfully submit the fore
going suggestions.
E. HOLMES, M. D.
Health Officer.