Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-07-28
The Importance OF Sanitary Assoc
otnREana An Cfffaa.

| OF epldeIatcS. For this reason they must ever
be on the alert to discover all manner OF I'M
cleanliness, and to see that thorough and
effective means are employed to remove
promptly the filth which is constantly accu-
mulating. Seaports are especially exposed
to these dangers, because the constant ar
rivals from all parts of the world multiply
the chances of infection, and their popula-
ton being largely floating one, have mel
Their the opportunity of discovering existing
causes of unhealthiness nor sufficient local
interest to be willing to bear the expense OF
costly sanitary improvements. Again, the mu-
nicipal authorities of all cities in this country
| being elected for short terms have never time
to perfect any system OF sanitation projected
| by them, and in seapOrts, the commercial
interest being the greatest, eXerts such
| strong influence that sanitary affairs are
considered only of secondary importance.
Moreover the machinery which controls the
| election of Municipal Councils Is in the
| hands of petty politicians, aud even when
wise and good laws for the preservation OF
the public health do exist, the offices neces-
| sary for their administration are often made
| things of barter and sale, and are filled
without regard to competency or RESPONSE
bility. The result of this is that the press
of our large cities is constantly complaining
| Of corruption and abuses In the administra-
| ton of the health laws, and it is evident
| that there exists a widespread necessity for
| organizations among the people to assist the
municipal authorities in this important mat
| ter.
This necessity, which is felt in Europe as
well as in America, led to the establish
ment of a Sanitary Protective Association
| in limbaugh, Scotland, in 1877, which, &C
| cording to a report received from its Secre-
! tary, has worked satisfactorily and steadily
| increased In membership and usefulness.
| The plan was imported, and similar or
| ganiz alton was established il Newport, Il.
| L, in 1873, and afterwards in other cities of
the United States.
! The epidemic of yellow fever In New Or
! leans in 1873 opened the eyes of the people
| to the necessity of assisting the municipal
authorities in putting that city into good
sanitary condition, and on the 3lst Of March,
! 1879, the Auxiliary Sanitary Association
was organized. "rhe gentlemen chiefly
instrumental in giving form and motion to
this association were actuated by the most
| patriotic motives-the rehabilitation Of this
city.n (Dr. Fenner's Address, 1880
They remembered that during the mill
tary occupation Of the city, when the most
| stringent sanitary regulations were etfectu
ally enforced, the city was free from yellow
fever epidemics (the mortality by this dis
ease from 1861 to 1866 being but il, whilst
| in the ten years preceding it amounted 10
the enormous sum of IS 652), and that from
the time these strict regulations fell into
disuse the general unhealthiness OF the
city increased, and yellow fever returned In
| its fearful epidemic form.
This association, provided with ample
| funds, through the voluntary subscriptions
Of the people, was able, by great exertions,
to clean the streets and houses, to estab-
lish an efficient system OF scavengering, to
improve the water supply to build perma-
Dent sanitary works, and generally to in
stitute sanitary improvements, which the
city government had never been able to &C
complish before.
1t was, in all probability, through the
combined efforts of the association and
the city government that all incipient
epidemic was stamped out in 1879, and
certainly they have succeeded In making
their city healthier than it ever was at any
time in its previous history.
The reformation OF the drainage system
alone shows the magnitude Of the work IN
dertaken by this association, andits immense
value to the city.
"With the aid of Mr.. Newton's mud
scourer, a most ingenious and efficient con
trivance, he has successfully reduced the
foul deposit, an accumulation OF many
Years, quite two feet In the Toulouse and
Broad street canals, at a trfing cost to this
in high municipal circles "impracticable. J"
X < x x < The city commenced in 1859 the
institution of works to flush the cutters and
expended SIG 625 %. There is no exist
ing evidence at this day that the work was
ever commenced except length OF 5000
feet of pipes, now in possession of the water
works company, which cost today, S2l,OOO. j"
Dr. Fenner'S address, No'0nber %, 1880.
Although there are few cities in which an
auxiliary sanitary association would have
such gigantic labOrs to perform as has had
that of New Orleans. there are none where
such an organization would not prove of
the greatest value, as is evident from the
following statement of its objects and the
| privileges and duties OF its members:
O6jectS-1. To promote a general interest
in sanitary science and to diffuse among the
people a knowledge of the means of pre-
venting disease. 2 To secure the adoption
by the city authorities of the most etfcetual
methods of Improving the sanitary condi-
ton Of the city. 3. To provide its members
at moderate cost With such skilled inspec-
ton as shall secure the proper sanitary con-
dition of their own premises and those of
other people in whom they may be interes
ted. 4. To form a capital by subscription
or otherwise which shall only be used for
sanitary purposes when deemed necessary
by the association.
Mem6erShip-Any citizen may become a
member by paying the annual assessment.
Failure to pay an assessment for three
months after it becomes due shall cause
forfeiture OF membership.
Privileges Of MenQberS-E4ch member shall
be entitled to, first, an annual inspection OF
one homestead or other building, with a re-
port on its sanitary condition, by some com
petent person or persons employed, and paid
by the association. Second, occasional
supplementary inspection and advice con-
corning said homestead or building, as upon
the occurrence of any severe or suspicious
disease on the premises or during the preva-
lence of an epidemic. Third inspection of
other buildings, either public or private, in
which he may have an interest, upon such
terms as the Executive Council may de-
termine.
OFFICIAL Dstties-The Executive Council
shall have general charge Of the affairs of
the association. 1t shall meet at least once
IN three months for the transaction
of such business as may come be-
fore it. 1t shall appoint annually from
among it's own number the following
committees, each to consist of three mem
bers: First, a committee on the diffusion of
sanitary knowledge; second, a committee
on the sanitary condition Of the city; third,
a committee on the sanitary inspection of
buildings. Aud the Executive Council may
add from time to time such members of
the association to the number Of any sub
committee as may seem best to serve the
purposes in hand. Tie committee on tie
diffusion of sanitary knowledge shall ar
range for p bile meetings, prepare articles
for the press, and tracts for distribution
among the people, and take such other
measures as 1t may deem necessary for dis
seminating throughout the community a
better knowledge of the conditions of health.
The committee on the sanitary condition
OF the city shall investigate everything that
may be brought to its notice which is dan
gerOus to the public health, and consider
the best method for the removal Of the
same. 1t shall, in every practicable way,
co operate lDth the health authorities In
their efforts to improve the sanitary condi-
ton of the city. The committee on the
sanitary inspection of buildings shall pre-
sent to the executive council annually
the names of suitable persons for inspectors,
and advise in relation to their compensation.
1t shall exercise a careful supervision over
the work of inspecting buildings and prem
ises, and prepare rules for the guidance of
inspectors 10 the discharge of their duties.
Duties Of Members shall be the duty of
every member OF this association to report
to the executive council all fragrant viola
tons OF the sanitary ordinances of the city,
or any nuisances that may come under their
! personal observation. CITIZEN.
| -b+-o-@%-
A Terrible Case of Suffering.
The dreadful suffering OF a man with
Cholera Morbus was painfully illustrated in
New York few days ago, when an indi
vidual from the rural districts, who had