The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1881-08-11
Dust and Its Evils.

OV0C Gu0 Eclu VI uuU. CllIu mas 1OutfU
in it a indus, and, were it not removed
ere the summer solstice arrives, it
might prove a source of great impair
ment to the public health; but, after
all, it is sometimes an advantage when
floating material is made into mortar.
Like the dust of lime, it will not fly
hither and thither if thus fastened. The
greater dangeris when filth of any kind
becomes thoroughly dried, 50 as to be
waited hither and thither by the winds.
Some interesting facts are brought to
light by the chemist in his search into
the composition of dust. The pollen of
the rag-weed is often found in the up
per air of cities, far away from any
fields. Scent from special factory,
with its minute particles. are percept-
ible tens of miles distant. An analysis
of dust found in the summer in the
upper part of theater in New York
showed pulverized horse-manure as =
prominent Ingredient. It is when
particles of unchanged filth are dried
and waited about and then become
subjected to heat and moisture that
they are productive of most harm. In
deed, dust of itself, even if not charged
with specific material, is q great irri-
tant. One of the great Affections of dry
and dusty weather is that the lungs
necessarily inhale so many particles.
The mucous membrane of the throat
and lungs is exposed to the irritant,
and bronchial affections are often the
result. Much that is called catarrh or
ranked as bronchial cold is mechan-
ical irritation. The man who lived by
the sea because there was no dust there
had, at least. one valuable considera-
ton as an argument for sea life. Much
of the good that sea voyages do is
owing to the freedom of the air from
floating particles, as much as to It's pur-
ity of composition. Horsemen UNDER
stand the value of clear air when they
sponge the nostrils of their horses, in
order to detain the floating dust. 1t is
certain that men would be wiser. amid
clouds of dust. if they would keep their
mouths shut and have the nOstrils wet
ted or protected. In many kinds of
dusty work workmen should use such .
gauze or other continuance aswill allow
free inhalation and yet detain some OF
the floating particles. We recall the
case of man who had worked in q
spice mill twelve years before. and yet
a disease of the lungs showed them to
be marked with characteristic sputa.'
Cities have this as one of their greatest
evils. Public parks and squares and .
broad river or sea-front help to remedy
the evil somewhat. The question often
arises with sanitarians whether the
watering of the streets is the lesser sof
two evils. With all the variety of
opinion as to it, it seems probable that
the question depends very much upon
the cleanliness of the dust. If foul,
pulverized dust is thus alternately
moistened and dried, the very water
may aid in its dangerous transformation.
but if streets are well kept and clearly,
the watering enables the dust to. be
more easily removed and the dampness
is refreshing. Like many other sani-
tary questions it is relative, and all the
facts as to conditions must be given, in
order to decide. 1t occurs. too, often
that the sanitarian is called upon to give
an abstract opinion. We know of no
department in which decisive advice
more depends upon having all the de-
tails of the case in hand. $50
The influence of the wind in waiting
dust. and thus waiting disease, is indis-
putable. Epidemics have occurred in
which their progress was marked by
dust. The great fairs of India and the
great caravans of crowded marts have:
had much to do with the onward march
of disease. 9S@ alaa 1s@al ~ "a
1t is quite probable that the COM
municability of certain diseases can be
restrained by avoiding the transmission
of their dust. It is probable that the
direct sputa of whooping cough IL one
of the means of its spread. It Is quite
certain that, il the body is oiled when
the desquamation after scarlet fever is
taking place, there is less risk OF co.'s
veying the disease. Many of the skim
diseases have minute scurf, which,
readily finds its way into tho surround
ing air. Physicians now avail them