The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-07-02
DIR. ChancelIOrs visit to Oakland.


visit was the perfecting of the organ
ization of the Board of Health for
this county. The Board will be COM
posed of three members from each
district, and the States Attorney and
Burgess of Oakland, who are &C.
o6iciO members of the Board. The
members from Oakland will form the
Executive COMMITTEE. and the district
committees will report to them regu.
larly the sanitary condition of the
various districts, and all matters that
would be of interest to the Board.
DIR. Chancellor will visit this county
again, probably during September
court, when he will deliver lecture
for the benefit and instruction of the
Board.
While here the Doctors opinion
was requested in reference to the un.
healthfulness of keeping and rearing
pigs in proximity to human habita-
tions, which is forcibly given in the
subjoined letter.
OAKLAND HOTEL,
OAKLAND, Md,
June 9th, 1881.
Drs. T.. II. Bartlett, j, Lee Nc
Comas. Col. J. W. Teitch and Others i:
Gentlemen:
Since my arrival in your place my
opinion has been requested in refer
ence to the unhealthfulness ofkeeping
and rearing pigs in proximity to
human habitations. 1t is not neces-
sary to say much in demonstration of
the fact that the keeping of swine in
"a town or village, or even near a
solitary residence is injurious to
health. The reports made by health
officers in all parts of the country
abound in illustrations of the nuisance
created by hog pens wherever they
may exist, and it cannot be said that
the two or three pigs commonly kept
in the rear of houses are relatively
less Objectionable.
1t is a matter of fact that pigs are
habitually kept in most uncleanly
and unwholesome manner, and The
out cry against their being so kept is
natural and not to be wondered at
when we consider the fact that zymot-
ic diseases may be occasioned by it.
My own Judgment, formed from re
cent observation, is that there is no
one course more fruitful in engender.
ing typhoid fever and diptheria, than
the effiuvia which arise from pig styes,
and my opinion is, therefore, very
decided that is is an evil which should
not be tolerated in any commurit y.
The keeping of swine within the
precincts Of town or even within a
defined distance of inhabited dwell
ings in the country should be for
hidden absolutely.
The offensive odor from iIl-kept
and ill-managed piggeries will travel
with the wind considerable distan-
cies. The nuisance has its sourse in
the filthy condition OF the styes, the
accumulation of matter often in a
fermenting condition, and in the
storage and subsequent preparation
of the food. The swill-tub in most
towns and villages is an "institu-
tion," and throughout the year, DUR
ing hot as well as cold weather, the
process of filling it goes on, the swill
being generally unmitigated filth.
Uncleanliness is reckoned as the
deadliest of our removable causes of
diseases, and it is among the oldest
and most universal of medical ex-
periences that population living amid
filth, especially filthy privies, pig
styes and slaughter houses, and
within direct reach of their polIuting
influences, succumb to various dis
eases which under proper conditions
are comparatively or entirely un-
known. The broad knowledge that
filth makes disease is represented in
the Oldest records which exist, of leg
islation meant for the masses of man.
kind, and the universal experience OF
sanitarians affirms the fact that dis
eases are exceptionally frequent
among residents in proximity to such
establishments as / have mentioned.
To these may also be added COW and
horse stables. back yards and cellars
kept in an uncleanly condition, esDe.
cially where the effluvia from such
keeping are concentrated within a
confined space. We may, then, SET