Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-12-06
Public Health-in luxurious State.
ment Concerning savannah.

Public Health-4n luxurious State
ment Concerning savannah
Editor Morning Nea0s The recent session
of the American Public Health Association
in the city of Savannah has brought 10 the
surface, among other fac's of vital import,
the alarming fact that Savannah is gszetted
as among the six most unhealthy cities In
the world OF thirty thousand inhabitants
andupwards, enjoying unhealthy distinction
with Alexandra, Egypt; st. Petersburg,
Russia; Wilmington, Delaware; Buffalo, N.
Y, and Atlanta, Georgia. wide "sani-
tarian," Dec. No.. vol. tx, No. CIV. Mortality
statistics 10 the United States Of cities Of
thirty thousand population and upwards,
PIP. $50 81
This, to us, arming announcement is
predlcated upon the mortuary report for the
week ending October Is, 1881, from forty
five cities in the United States and forty
one cities in Europe.
In the six cities enumerated by the above
authority, which is the organ of sanitary
science in the Unite States, the death rate
per l 900 inhabitants is marked as follows:
| Alexandria, Egypt, 4S 8; st. Petersburg,
Russia, 43 9; Wilmington, Delaware, 40 q;
Savannah, Georgia, AZ 5; Buffalo, N. Y i,
| 80 6; A,lanta, Ga, 81 l. or the causes of
death in the six cities named, there were
according to the statistics upon which the
above facts are predcated, of preventable
or filth diseases as follows: St. Petersburg,
| typhoid fever SO, smallpox 3; Alexandra,
Egypt, typhoid fever IL; Wilmington, Della
| ware, typhoid fever 8, smallpox 5; Savan-
| nah, Georgia, diphtheria and Group 4; Buff
falo, New York, diarrheal diseases 81, diph-
iberia and Group 10, typhoid fever z.
1t needs but the average intellect to ar
rive at the conclusion, that II the above
facts have their foundation on truth "some-
thing is rotten" not in Denmark (for in
Copenhagen, the capital Of that country,
the death rate is put down as but 20.3 per
| 1000 inhabitants), but nearer home, even in
| this, our beautiful city of Savannah.
Our present City Council board is not
composed of professional sanitarians or
experts In hygienic SCIENCE, and we believe
make no particular claim to distinction in
that direction, but we think that they are
willing to cooperate In any reasonable and
practicable manner to demonstrate the
sanitary maxim that "public health is pub
lie wealth"
II. and l reason upon the truth of the con-
illusions arrived at from the vital Statistics
Savannah is one of the six most unhealthy
cities Of the world, and that one-sixth o.
the diseases that make it so are preventable
diseases, is there not enough sanitary
tifc men to suggest the remedy,
and enough common sense in the
community to cooperate with and
theoretically second any practical means of
carving such remedial agencies into opera
ton.
Our whole-souled merchants and business
men, who gave literally Of their means to
- Is L..
Public Health Association, under whose
endorsement the announcement is made that
Savannah Is among the six unhealthiest
cities of the world, will they not heartily
give rot only Of the il means, but their time,
thought and united effort to seek the cause
OF this unhealthy and unenviable distinc-
tiop, and apply the remedy? Is
It the drainage and sewerage system
Is sewer gas or malaria the moving
cause? Is it neglect OF the known laws OF
hygiene by the ignorant or inattention
thereto by the better informedS There
must be cause, and why cannot we, like
the citizens of other communities, have
permanent, active and responsible health
and sanitary organization composed of our
well known and appreciated scientist fellow
citizens, whose recommendations would be
supported by the lawexecuting authority
and have the weight and force OF judicial
rulings upon sanitation.
II is proper time to start In this direc-
ton. The influence of the distinguished
body of professional men and savants which
has been in session in our midst is favorable
to the suggestion, and when, in the course
of events, the Association returns to Savan-
nah, the reasonable probability is that II
their teachings and conclusions are based
upon truth and the logic of undisputed
facts, and are earnestly and practically fol-
lowed, they will return to md the beautiful
Forest City in healthfulness and freedom
from preventable diseases, as among the
first In the world, perfect IN sanitation, fits
homes and public enterprises based upon
hygienic science, and the abode of healthy,
wealthy and wise Inhabitants.