The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-06-30
Sanitary Anairs-Card from the
Health Officer.

Editors OF the Register.
Your note in, Mondays paper, urging
the importance Of each householder
maintaining good sanitary surround
iugs, is worthy of attention. In this
connection word from me may no.
be without benefit. The private prop
erty of the city has been inspected
during the past spring perhaps more
thoroughly than ever before, aud about
500 nuisances abated. Of course this
inspection cannot be repeated during
the summer, and the Health Officer
now depeuds upon persons Immediately
in crested to report any nuissnces that
NAV arise in their locality. If the COM
plant is deemed just it will always re-
ceive prompt attention.
But bouseholders themselves as yoa
suggest, are much more largely respou-
s,b!e for the condition Of their premises
and the health OF their families than il
any public officer. Offensive priyies,
cellars, drains, yards, &c, all tend to
the production especially OF dIarrheal
diseases, and doubtless many an III 'ants
life has been sacrificed from some Of
these causes. A few minutes
labor each day would serve
to keep any property in a safe
condition. Though cleanliness is the
great essential after this dlslnfectlon.
Cleanliness having been secured, the
following points are applicable to al
most every house: The cellar should
be ventilated daily by throwing open
all doors. II damp, scatter lime over
the floor as often IS necessary, and
whitewash the walls. II auy untrap1
ped waste pipes exist IN the house,
either conducting from the water closet
or kitchen sink into any close sewer,
send for a good plumber at once. This
is a prolific cause Of disease.
All privies should be disinfected at
least weekly, az follows: Dissolve five
(5) pounds OF copperss with one-eighth
to one fourth pint crude carbolic acid,
in a wooden bucket 6 gallons) OF
water and eprinkIe this around the
walls OF the vault and over the con-
tents OF it. 1t would be better TO do
this daily, but if used weekly in larger
qualities, much good may he expect
ed. The came should be used daily in
water closets. Offensive drains should
be treated in the same way. A liberal
use OF whitewash to all out buildings.
&c, will not be without benefit.
A word as TO the public parts
OF the city. Owing 10 many OF the
alleys and cutters being either unpaVed
or out OF repair, the wa'te water which
flows into them in all parts OF the city
is apt to collect, especially in flat places
and to become offensive. This cannot
be prevented by the authorities without
a daily cleaning, which would involve
an enormous expenditure. Flooding
the cutters from the fire plugs, whlcA
would he OF great value, cannot be re-
sorted 10 frequently because the water
cannot be spared with safety. ] there
fore urge the importance OF house
keepers daily devoting few minutes
10 sweeping the cutters adjoining their
residences. This is the only way in
which they can be kept Tree from bad
odors, and the time and labor required
for the work are insignificant.
The distinguished Health Officer Of
another city, IN private letter to me,
eavs: at ia fact, patent TO every
one in this city, that in all localities
where the people sweep the cutters in
front OF their houses, the street, as well
as the gutter, is alcqyS clean. The
daily sweeping of the cutters is the very
best thing that could be done to keep
the streets clean and the sewers from
becoming foul"
Hoping this suggestion will receive
the attention OF the people, and proPos-
ing to do all within my limited power
to keep the city in good condition,
am, respectfully,
S Il JEPSoS,
Health Officer.