Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-01-27
oUp SANITARY AFFAIRS.


oroon;zed and fairly at work, we hope
thot the BOARD of Health will be sup
rl;.d with the means and force to make
q thorough inspection of the city, and to
Mace il in such excellent sanitary con-
d;,;on as the lessons of the past require
and the health ordinance contemplates'
lisa deplorable fact that many oil our
neonle have relapsed into a state OF IN
difference. and have become as careless
"a formerly in their hlbits. Many
bouses with handsome frolts would not
hear inspection from The rear, while
others are evidently not any too wen
swent and disinfeeted without or
within front flank or rear, while the
alleys vacant lots and out-ot-the-way
,,lacas receive ne more attention than 1t
an endemic had never swept over the
city. We unite with our cotemporarles
who desire to see future epidemlcs
ayerted by the enforcement OF rigid SAN
itary and precautionary measures, well
knowing that another season such as we
have lust had will set Memphis back in
growth and prosperity at least fifteen
wears and destroy all hope of real mate
rial progress for nearly another gen.
Grafton. We do not wish to proph-
ecy evil, but merely to warn the peo-
nile and the authorities that II the
health ordinance remains a dead
letter the most unhappy consequences
will follow. 1t is not improbable that
the Germs of some or all of the three
epidemics-small.pox, cholera and yell
low fever-yet exist in our midst. Ii SO,
the filth that chokes up alleys and back
premises and the foul air locked up in
cellars and unused rooms will afford the
kind of nourishment that ripens such
diseases into full activity and is always
favorable to their spread. If We fail to
proft by the terrible lessons of last year
the world will have less sympathy for us
tisu il Ii 4 before before. The means lavlshed
upon us from all parts of the country
more than answered our needs, and there
vet remains a surplus which has threat
ened to become bone of contention. The
peeuniary condition of Memphis COM
pares favorably with that ofany other city
in the country, and if we do not avail
ourselves of opportunities presented in
she light of experience to set our houses
order and be prepared for another at
tack of our terrible enemies, the fault
will be at our doors, and the outside
public will take but little heed Of our ca
families. A few thousand dollars a
month will keep Memphis in a clean,
healthy condition. and insure us against
the misfortunes of last year. But to do
this will require activity. impartiallty
and nerve on the part of the Board OF
Health and sanitary force. An immense
amount of work needs to be done, which
all good citizens should encourage
aud invite, rather than repel. They
houId put their premises in such
omplete order that the Health Officer
a nd his assistants can find nothing
to report or require corrected. The
D eople themselves are interested as
much or more than those on duty HndeI
the Board Of Health, and should be
ready to tender their hearty eo-opera
ion. This is a practical question, il
which every resident of Memphis IL
eeply concerned. 1t is not only al
issue Of dollars and cents and the value
of property, but of life. health and pros
perity. Let us hope that il will receive
ne and timely attention With the mos
favorable results.