Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1878-06-25
CITY SANITARY MEASURES.

We are approaching a season Of the year
when the condition of the public health, and
the means taken to preserve it, attract the at
tention of the thoughtful portion of commu-
mites in all important cities. Some of our
most prominent business men In Memphis are
int Wrestling themselves in this subject, and of
our city officials also, the mayor at the head.
This attention is given, not on account of any
fears or circumstances calculated to arouse
fear-for the weekly reports Of deaths show
that the amount of mortality here is small
but as a simple, yet necessary act of prudence,
forethought and care. OF course, there are
now, as always, individuals of more than the
average amount of wisdom who council not
to move a step, nor make an investigation,
nor take any course to prevent the introduc-
ton of malignant disease, on the ground
that ''it wi llalarm the public mind" These
embodiments of profound wisdom, who draw
lessons from the turkey that hides
its head in the sand and thinks
to escape the danger by binding itself
to its approach, know very little of 'the pub
lie mind" about which they are so careful.
There are people who become alarmed when
it is suggested they should insure their lives,
or make their wills; but they are the excep-
tions, the extra-wse. The public are like an
army that sleeps the soundest when it knows
that the sentinels are alert and on the watch.
The public mind will be at rest if the board
of health is vigilant, if every precaution is
taken, if the medical men are on the watch
for whatever may happen In distant cities,
observing tue "signs of the times, " and pre-
parIng for conhngencIes-not because they
fear they ioiH happen, but because they know
they may happen. A keen though immora
French writer well observed: LIE Uale1 "a,
conSiSte pas a S'dUeHgIeUr sur ie danger
mails le brarer ca Papereerant; valor doe
not consist in shutting our eyes to danger, bu
in facing it when it shows itself. In the
present case, however, we have only to stand
ready to face it ia case it should show
itself, and if our citizens are assured that
those who are intrusted with the sanitary
regulations of the city are at their post. anC
are taking the measures the season OF the
year requires, they will be satisfied. The re,
sponSibihty falls mainly upon the city board
of health, and we hope its members are
reposed in them by their fellow-cltizens, anC
are actively preparing all preventive guards
against the introduction of disease, in case
any should occur south of US. The position
of the chairman of the board, DIR. Mitchell
is one of special responsibility, for the city
ordinance creating the board lays upon hin
peculiar and most important duties. Among
other things he is required to SCI
that sanitary regulations and pro
visions are carried into effect; and, NOR
than this, he Is required to sugges
judgment are required. He is placed upol
the Watchtower, and the citizens look to hin
to see that there Is no neglect of duty on tn
part of others, and no delay IN giving timel
council on his own part. The first thing, W
understand, that Is considered necessary
the establishment of a quarantine at tn
grounds the city owns on Presidents island
The necessary buildings are there, and it
proposed that it shall be adopted as a per
manent thing, that a health-officer be sen
down there on the first of July ecsry yeal
and there remain until the first or fifteenth {
October. There every ascending boat wi
call and be examined. any sick person o
board taken off to the quarantine hospital
considered necessary, the boat disinfected
required, and, in this way, it will bring L
danger to Memphis or to any place above j
The cost of this, it is estimated, would /
four hundred dollars a month, or altogetht
two thousand dollars. 1t may be asked. VIII
so particular about the river when thel
is so much traffic by railway? Of course Il
railways will have all the attention th
may be required, but there is a gre
difference between the steamboat and IL
railway car. The latter, as it rushes on, or
ating wind by its speed, puri6es itself; it
open to the breeze, and any unhealthy germ
are dissipated. Box-cars and their conten