The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1880-02-06

The lecture delivered by DIR. Truesdale
last evening at the Central Presbyterian
church. attracted large audience, which
was most complimentary to the lecturer,
and reflected we'll on the citizens as appre-
ciatiye of such subjects as that treated OF
last night.
In handling the subject the Doctor took
a thoroughly practical view, and presented
that before his audience 10 an unmistake- |
able way. such as there was no difficulty in
understanding. He spoke 10 a general
way as to the benefits accruing from
sttention to the laws of hygiene, and TO
exemplify drew a word picture of home
in the middle rank of life, where cleanli-
ness, order and neatness were observed;
and then by way of contrast he described
home, which was the opposite in every
way; and showed that in the former good
health and happiness was the result,
whereas in the latter. misery, discomfort,
discord and disease were the consequences.
The preparing of food was ably COM
mented Oh, and illustrated by a humorous
account of q dinner which the
lecturer was once Inflicted with,
and which is only a too common
type of what exists. The fact that good
food is frequently spoiled in It's prepare
ton for use, demands that some method
of instruction should be impaired to the
people, there are various ways in which
lthis~might be done, and the doctor held
that in place of a good deal of trashy liter
allure which is supplied to the young under
the name of Sunday school literature. and
whichis mere sentimentslism, it might very
we'll be supplanted by what would be of
practical use in relation to the prepare
tion of food, and laws beneficial to health.
The people have to be Instructed or put
In the position where instructing would
be desired and obtained. The results
arising from badly cooked food are most
disastrous and incalculabIe, and frequently
lead to the use Of stimulants and couse-
quently to the commission Of crime.
Statistics were largely made use of by
the lecturer. He quoted largely from Yari-
Gus sources which stated plainly that by
attention to sanitary laws, the death rate
had in some places been reduced from %
to in a thousand and though this might
be too much IN general way to
= expect, il was Gndeniable proved
! that density of population and disregard
lof preventivesmeans for repelling disease
did increase the rate of. mortality. The
l. IL.
in large establishments and on public
work, vas shown by statistical returns.
The germ" theory yes ably commented on,
and was regarded as being d step of vast
importance in medical science. The theory
was undoubtedly sustained as fer Jas il had
gone and the fact that certain diseases
such as Asiatic Cholera, Yellow Fever and
the like, had been traced to particular
localities was proof conclusive that certain
diseases we're indigenous to places, and
, that the germs. might be carried to an
< almost incalculable distance, The subject
> of sewers and sewage was dilated upon at
: length and ably disserted on. Cess
, pools. priyy vaults and such recepticles
3 were generally condemned, the accumula-
ton of garbage aud refuse matter was
highly detrimental to health, and ought to
be avoided. Sewers when properly con-
< structed and we'll supplied With water
] were excellent things. but when neg
lected we're fruitful sources OF
; disease In connection with this part OF
D the subject, and as illustrative of the
I germ theory. it was mistake to conduct
iseWage 70 rivers and think that the
3 matter was ended. 1t had been shown
: that ice had carried these germs long dis
t tances. and even river which was frozen
+ over. vas much the same as u close TN
= ventilated sewer. Legislation had been
i resorted TO. in other countries, 10 regard
8 to the pollution of rivers; and the time
p would surely come when We would have to
make SOME change in this country, as The
8 purity of the water &c drink is of the
}, utmost importance in preserving good
u health In concluding. reference was
!. made to the high state of civilization at
D tanned by the ancient Greeks It was not
i inoon patjble that high degree of DE- .si
cal aud mental strength should go to
l. gether, and it was generally found that
those who attained the greatest eminencs
we're those in whom both physical and
mental culture were developed.
u