The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1879-10-09
THE HEALTH OF THE CITY.
THREE suGGETIoNs, AND ALI. OF THEM
PRACTICAL.

THREE suGGETIoNs, AND ALL OF THEM
PRACTICAL.
Editor Cairo Bulletin:
| am pleased to observe that the Tax.pay-
ers' association has appointed committee
of citizens to take Reconsideration the sub.
ject of public health, and to suggest meas
ures that shall seem best calculated to pre-
serve and promote it. No higher object or
one of more Importance to Cairo, could en-,
gage the attention of any citizen; and it is
to be hoped the committee will give the
matter the attention it demands.
have a few words to say and they may
cover suggestion or two that will be of
service to the committee. Before many years
pass by Cairo must have water works. We
can never overcome, in any degree the
draw backs Of bad drainage, until such
works are established. With vigorous
stream of water forced through our sewers
olce day or twice u week, during the hot.
slckly season, the sewers could be kept
clean and a great cause of sickness be com.
pletely and entirely removed. Under pres
ent arrangements, the Stops and filth that
reach our sewers remain there, for weeks
and months at time, or until carried away
by the sipe water or continued heavy rains.
Another suggestions Stop ut once and
for all time the construction of wooden
walks on the ground, and take up all the
walks that are undergoing decay. No
wooden walks should be permitted to
stand anywhere in the city, unless they are
sufficiently elevated TO admit Of free cur.
rent Of air underneath. The importance Of
this suggestion cannot be oyer-cstimated.
There is, there can be, no doubt in the world
that wooden sidewalks on the surface. be-
come harbors for filth and yermim-coyer
deadly damp AMI mould, and soon, by
their own decay, give out exhaiations that
are seriously detrimental to the
health Of all who breathe them.
The sorest problem with which the COM
mittce vii! have 70 deal, however, is fur.
nishcd by the pyiyies. To the poison lur-
king in her priyy vaults, more than to any
other known cause, Memphis owes the
presence Of yellow fever among her people
to-day. This is confessed facy. and one of
which we, Of Caro-, should not become m
mindful. How to construct vaults, and
how to deodorize and disinfect the contents
Of those in Use, become questions, therefore,
of the grayest coseQuence. Nothing, in this
Should be left to the pleasure,
will or option of the individual citizen.
The council should declare exactly how all
vaults and vontillators shoud be construct
ed, and the health officer should be charged
with thc duty of seeing that everybody
yielded exact compliance with such require.
ments. During the heated portion Of the
year, disenfectants should be used, freely, as
often as once o month or oftener,
under the direct supervision OF that
officer or his sworn representatives.
have thus thrown out three suggestions
not at all remarkable for their original
ity; but such as must serve as the very
foundation stone Of any work that has in
view an effective system Of sanitation. To
carry out either suggestion would involve
much labor and expense; but any system
that does not cover one or all Of them, will
not be such T. system as will best promote
and preserve the public health, or such rs
will win the confidence and support Of in
telligent people. GRAY-BEARD,
BALTIMORE OYSTERS