The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-07-07
A COMPREHENSIVE SYSTEM OF HY.
GIENE.
PARISH OF PLAQUEMINEs,
TtIrn 90 1917

1ARlSH OF PLAQUEMINES,
June %, 1877.
Editor Demoerat--The subject of health
which each individual must acknowledge is
more important to hina than any other GER
tainly ought to have prominent place
among the objects considered for the promo
tion of the general welfare.
This system should be based upon careful
collection and study of facts relating to the
climate and diseases--medical and sanitary
history present condition of the city
and bnre that nder whsh darent has Gbaned tn
the sanitary history of other important
cities, the conclusions deduced by them from
experience and data, and their plans adopted
for the accomplishment of the objects set
which bear upon this subject. An efficient
system of hygiene contemplates large ex-
penditure of money. Undoubtedly. So do
railroads; so do levees; SO do the workings Of
the government Of the State, which is meant
strictly to protect people and keep them quiet.
rights of people and keeping them from fight
ing is more important than keeping them In
health and saving their lives: If people are
responsive to appeals made to them for
Of works to bring to them materials con-
ducive to the enjoyment of life it does
seem strange that they should disregard the
conditions upon which that life holds in a
great measure it's capacity. OF enjoyment and
It's probable prolongation Of enjoyment. Most
of the large cities Of the United States and of
aportion Of Europe have expended large sums
of money for the improvement of their sani-
tary condition. In connection with this they
have established extensive works which add
not only to the comfort and health of their
people but adorn and beautify these cities.
and contribute to their wealth by attractive
ness to residence.
They act upon the knowledge that the inter-
those which are considered external-the
ameioration or removal of which is the great
object to which they should direct their
efforts. The intelligence of this age now real
ICES the fact that it Is better to prevent than
to cure disease. A commission of health in
q report made several years ago to the Privy
Council OF Great Britain, in relation to this
matter, says:
'Tt cannot be denied that conflicts of opin-
ion upon some minor points have arisen, but
been practical unanimity among the hosts of
physicists and physicians, chemists and mi
and although by habit we have
come almost to forget, If not to doubt, the
existence OF these hidden dangers which en-
yiron us, we regard pestilence and plague as
the legitimate consequences of the violation
Of sanitary laws"
No one should doubt the policy and duty of
protecting New Orleans against the introduc-
doubt, who is acquainted with the condition
OF the city and who has reflected upon the |
subject, that the protection of her citizens
from the operation Of internal causes Of dis |
ease is most inadequately performed, and
more extensive and efficient than the pro-
vision which is now made to guard it's |
health.
1t is said the population Of New Orleans
has scarcely increased In ten years. She has
had railroads and highways of water travel. |
as we have stated heretofore unrivalled i'm |
the world. 1t cannot be altogether from bad
government, since industries OF the State |
have been progressive to some extent, and
show improvements In the COM |
merce OF the city, as far as quantity is con- |
sidered.
II the statment be true that her population
has not increased, either many people have
gone away or the ratio of births and deaths
must nave altered very much. Some years |
ago the death rate in New Orleans was 1 in |
87. We have no data upon which to establish |
the birth rate, but we have no reason to sup |
pose that this fact of non-increase of popula- |
lion can be attributed to such great alteration |
in the ratio Of the death rate above mentioned |
as to have produced this effect
Admitting, then, the truth of this state
ment, and that many of our people have gone
away, the great problem to solve is how to
get them or others back, and how to make
them stay. We think we have mentioned in
This paper one great way; we may in another
article speak of another way we think of
prime importance, but contingent upon the
irst, but through the agency of which two
we can show that great city grew up in the
world without a railroad and without port
)f entry.
AS matter of interest to New Orleans we
have ventured to present the subject of this
etter to the thoughtful people Of your COM
If suggesting even the outlines Of a system,
out to attract attention to its importance To
prepare proper report upon this subject, as