The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1879-12-20

thority the London Lancet, by Cornelius Black,
NJ. D., NJ. r. G.. P, on /" Foul Air and Disease
of the Heart" we make the following extracts:
To keep the body in perfect health it must be
duly oxygenated. There must be free and ample
interchange between the blood in the lungs and
the air entering the pulmonary cells. The life
stream must be purified by its elimination of car
bonic acid ; it must be yivifed by the absorption
Of oxygen. The fulflment OF these conditions de-
mands a full, free, and constant admission of pure
air into the lungs. This full, free, aud constant
admission of pure air cannot be obtained in badly
ventilated houses, crowded buildings, schools as
at present constructed, theatres, manufactures,
pits. underground railways, and the like
stI hold that the breathing Of impure air is a
faithful source OF disease of the right heart occur
ring after middle age. How many people ignorant
IL favor its occurrence by ~conhniug themselves 10
closely-shut, nonventilated, hot, sitting rooms. in
which the caTbonic acid has accumulated to 2 or 5
per cent. OF the air they respire! How many are
thus destroyed by being compelled. through the
time in pits and manufactures where ventilation is
defective, or in which the air respired is poisoned
by uoxious fumes and offensive carnations"
To the Editor of The Pacific Commercial Advertiser:
DEAR SIR The Editorials of last week, as also
Mr.. s. B. Dole's article upon the Sanitary Condi-
ton OF Honolulu, while giving a feeling Of relief to
many in our stricken community that the best in-
terests of all were being watched. also revealed the
cause of inaction by the Board of Health that not
only creates wonderment at their sensitiveness
about overstepping their line of duty as prescribed
by law, but chagrin at such apathy as is displa yed
while the brightest and best in many households
are being stricken down on our right hand and on
our LETT by the fever that is not only claiming all
who are within the radius of Mslarial and Typhoid
germs, but is striking fear and terror into many
hearts which fact itself is well-known to render
persons most susceptible to any epidemic. ~
Mr.. Editor, the feeling to-day among the people
is one that would welcome any Agent or represen-
ta,ive of the Board of Health that would visit their
premises to order, or direct any measures that
would tend to allay the causes that produce these
fever germs and from expressions l have heard
made by several intelligent residents, contribu-
tons for measures toward the Improvement Of our
Sanitary Condition. would be willingly responded
to If necessary, whether for procuring and burn
ing Tar to counterfeit the malaria of the atmos-
phere, or to induce Ben Butler to accept the
Governorship in our Board of Health.
1t is adduced by many that authoritative opinion
as to the cause of the prevailing fever is divided,
and action for a remedy is therefore lethargic
1t may not be generally known that steps have
been taken toward removing causes of impurities
in the water supply of Nuuanu Valley, but the
community fear this waiting for Legislative au-
thority for more expensive measures may defeat
the remedies aimed at. However, TOR even this
one step we will be thankful.
Another cause assigned is dense foliage and ex-
cessive moisture, and no doubt with strong
grounds, for if we take a common sense review of
our fair city for the past twenty-five or thirty years
we can remember that when water was not so
plentiful as OF late, the trees were fewer and fur
Their between, as were also cases of Typhoid and
Malarial fevers. l will admit for the sake of a
patches were more numerous in the valleys and
neighborhood. where constant moisture was neces-
sary for its production, but in those days the
water supply-now absorbed by the reservoirs
was more freely distributed daily and little oppor-
tunity was given for a patch of standing. stagnant
water. This condition was forescen by the late R.
@. Wylie, and it strikes many as just and reason
able that the authorities order a dimunitiOn OF the
trees throughout Honolulu, and place further re-
s%trictions upon the water supply, or, a rigid carry
ing out of the rules already given for there is
much careless disregard OF the recent rule pro-
mulgated of limiting irrigation privileges to be-
tween 7 4. IN. to 6 p. m. And TO assist this direct
ed effort the Street Sprinklers might be- done
away with better a drier atmosphere with health
than a constantly damp one with levers.
The conceded condition of many parts of the
city from drains, c~esspools and such sources OF
offending and unhealthy gases is one that calls for
immediate action ofevery landlord or householder.
without waiting for official bodies to force a change
where needed but it is Just this particular point.
seemingl.", where authoritative action is necessary;
and while others with myself may have done
what We deemed was essential on our premises. |
would at the SANE time welcome any order sup
porting my course or showing in what else my
premises would be improved for the public good
Other than this, the condition of the Esplanade and
other localities for depositing rubbish is too
notorious to question whose right or business it is
to mitigate the nuisance.
Respecting sewerage, opinion is united on its
need and great benefit to the health of the place
l. but the fact OF its being an undertaking requiring
much time and a heavy expenditure of money. |
regret. gives erroneous grounds for delay. The
length of time needed to complete a system for our
city should be one OF the points to support early
action in the matter and in the question of cost. it
is reported from reliable sources that Mr.. Schussler,
on his recent visit here, roughly estimated that a
thorough system for Honolulu could be executed
for $3.50. 900. with outlet. or discharge. carried
beyond the reef. II this work can be done for
anything near such a figure. the Government is
~culpable for its neglect and delay In this unques-
tionabiy important matter.
There are other points in this subject that | will
touch upon at another time, so will not claim too
much space at once.
Yours, in the interest OF a suffering community,
THos. G.. THRUM.