The New York herald., 1879-08-11
THE NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH.


THE NATIONAL BOARD OF HEALTH.
- New YORK, August 8. 1879.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:
Your universally read journal is the principal
dunn through which to reach the public ear; affords
the best means not only Of discussing matters Of
public interest but for affording information vital
to the national interest, whether in matters political
social commercial. The great corner stone for
in all does escape the Argus eye Of your
onniuxs gaterup. in all questions Of public health
it seems to never sleep. But without occupying
space taxing your valuable time to read further
compliments. however well deserved, permit me to
add perhaps useful suggestions concerning this
vital question of public health.
The occasion which has induced me to offer these
remarks arises from reading the Circular from the
National Board of Health Distinction and Pre-.
cautionary Measures, published in your journal Of
the 30th ult. II this summary of existing knowl-
edge disinfection for limiting the spread Of yell
low fever is all that such important body Of
supposed sanitary scientists give to alarmed
aud suffering people, who auxiously awaiting its
issue. that the dreadful scourge is again deve
oping and terrifying these threatened localities then
it would seem there is but small hope to be derived
from sucn national organization. 1t far bet
ter that the whole matter should be left to that in
such exhibited by the noble lady who pro-
vded the means for thorough scientific investiga-
ton into the causes history and prophyaxes OF this
terrible malady SO recently. 1t cannot but be re-
marked in view of what the Executive Committee Of
that Board say in this circuar-'this knowledge is
far from being precise, and the Board have taken
measures have the effects Of disinfectants = =
carefully investigated. This investigation will
qure much time" &c. That is about as cool as
|
burning building filed with human beings to wait
until few ladders might be made and tested regard
ing their strength and heavy rainfall might occur
to afford relief and put out the fire.
Again. the great ''prudence' which is assumed"
in asserting that the essential Of yellow fever
is what may for conclseness be called germ
shows wonderful carefulness aud non-commital
position lest some burning ember OF Intelligence and
practical knowledge should drop among dry bones
of antiquarian research gniting the whole and
illuminating its evident ignorance upon such ques-
tions this body. supposed to have been selected
from among the most experienced practical hygien
| gated and were Thoroughly conversant with
TO their one astute suggestion in section q
that dsinfectlon when used IN place not infected
derng the filth of foul soils, water, &C.. incapable of
propagatng diseased germs'-it may be said that
such an adage was hardly necessary IN this enlight
ened age. II disinfecton is q poor substitute for
Cleanliness. for foul soils. water. &C.. for prevent
ing the propagation Of diseased germs" then why
delude the pubic with the idea OF using disinfect
ants 1t all? Yet in the next line, there is array
of what they term the .best disnfectants tor this
purpose" In so many words-to meet all phases
aud still preserve the non-committal attitude of
want Of precise knowledgo-.hrst blow hot and then
blow COLI" " or like the old country doctor not being
able to diagnose tho disease, mix up twenty
thirty drugs, so that some one OF them may hit the
disease. "
There is more common sense and sound practical
advice in DR.. Bells words to your reporter. which
be written letters Of blazing light, only the
south, where yellow lever has again showed its
hydra head but to every householder in the land.
TEL them to fight desperately for clean streets,
houses and yards. Insist upon thorough house,
cleanings IN which the cellar shall not be forgotten
Have foul sinks filed up aud proper substi-
tuted. and abandon every well that is within hum
dred feet of aprivy. Bury all dead animals within
an hour under not less than four feet OF earth.
Have all garbage. swil &C.. burned buried"
And. it may be added in places already
fected. such disnfectants thoroughly aud liber-
ally have already proved themselves reliable by
practical tests to be able to arrest decomposition and
putrefaction the factors which propagate germs
whatever specific poison 1t may be that is gener-
ateu during those PROCESSES.
No truer words were ever spoken than these Of DIR.
.steady, honest. industrious war upon filth will
any and every Southern town from the
scourge;- but cannot agree with the Doctor. know
ing the principle Of sef-preservation so strong
in that reforc the people will understand this
aud act up TO 1t the millennium will be at hand"
The people uneducated in sanitary knowledge
and ut this day anxiously longing Tor the light
which science has already developed and which they
have been led to expect through information which
may be supposed to have eliminated cry stalzed
in the National Board OF Health. But what do they
receive insteadp Nothing but gencraties and want
of practical direct information upon which 20 to
work. sounding words. hut empty BRASS.
Section 3.-"The two great dfficuties in de-
stroying the vitality OF the of yellow fever are.
hrst to lind him and then to scotch him. taking
that you don't burn your hngers.''
Section 4.-"when the germ of yellow fever is
dry or partially dried no gaseous disinfecsnt can be
relied on TO destroy IT. You must either give 1t
grees of heat to obtain security" Remember, first
catch your eel then, IL you can hold him. skin him
| hate mn a..aEh i'm IN ffsuf
section 5.-.'ln dsinfecting destroying infected
clothing, bedding or movable articles move them
little possible while dry. Before distributing
them have them thoroughly moistened, either with
q chemical dsinfecting solution with boiling
germs in the air in the form of dust" We submit
whether such directions are Of the slightest practical
value.
Why not give such advice as may prove of some
practical benefit? If such articles be disin-
ccted. tell us what chemical disinfectant to that
effective, and II the heat of boiling which
In at 2i2 degrees Farenheit, In sufficient why buy
steam boiler TO produce $50 degrees OF heat to de-
s,roy the wicked. microscopically invisible ''gc-m'
which is insidously poking himself into our
trils?
But now comes the sixth ana last section OF this
wonderful circular. We are coolly told-with the
thermometer ranging In the nneties, even in our
fectng rooms, buildings ships. &C., is still doubtful
owing to the difficulty of destroying the vitality OF
dried germs. and tnat the Board proposes to have
this subject carefully invest gated.
Dried germs!' Can the Board give any assurance
that there is such thing .dried germs"
germs of any sort wet or dry? Is there not among
the list of articles which have been experimental
upon Tor the last dozen years some that utterly
useless among those enumerated by the Board? And
there not some that have proved vaua able
liable Us infection destroy ers?
What is the testimony OF practical experts upon
this question? Upon this point will quote the
reports of some of those whose standing practi-
cal sanitarans cannot be qucstioned--who from
pcrience in the of disinfectants in yellow fever
have emphatically condemned OF the articles
now recommended by tins Board. as for instance
speaking of carboiic acid as q disnfectant-
o. A. white, A. NJ. NJ. D., delegate of
the New York Relief Committee, lee
ture and report the yellow fever epidemic
OF savannah in the year 1876 before the AcReny OF
Medicine OF New York said -"Thcre emo doubt
Ia the professional mind that certain chemical agents
do possess the power TO destroy the specific poison
upon which the so-called zyniotic diseases depend
and IL Is highly probable that the fatal blow Ia struck
at toxical Influence derived from ordum and othor
offensive sources, when tetor, which is over
powering element ABOUT infection carriers. is
initiated. During the critical stadium.