New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-08-10
MEDICAL CONGRESS IN LONDON

The International Medical Congress which
met in London last week has attracted many
eminent American surgeons and physicians
More than thousand foreigners were expected
to be present as members of the Congress- and
no doubt have been convinced by this time, as
every American of any note is after Soiourn
IN London, that it is the most hospitable city in
the world. The most appropriate entertain
ment provided for the visiting physicians is an
exhibition by the Sanitary Institute of the an
pliances or means for preserving health and
checking the spread of contagion. The best
Improvements for ventilation, drainage, heat
ing, carrying water or lighting in houses; the
most wholesome methods of constructing dwell
ings or draining towns; all appliances used in
the sick ROOM or cuisine for the sick, are ex-
hibited The display is regarded as so impor-
tant matter that it was opened n fortnight
before the asscmblage of the doctors in order
that the curiosity of the general public might
be satisfied and the exhibition rooms not be so
dcnsely crowded when the scientific men
arrived. The London papers call attention TO
the immense number of educated people of all
classes who throng the rooms rs an evidence of
the intense interest which is now felt in SAM
tary reform. In the last report of the Sanitary
Institute it was stated that the average of
owing to the reforms of this science
How much reform is needed in this country
we all know; trivial changes in modes of life,
simple means of prevention, are the most Diff
cult of all reforms to thrust upon Americans
Daniel O'Connell's motto is the only one thar
will serve: "Agitate; agitate and then agi-
tate" The moment the question is allowed 10
drop by the newspapers it is forgotten. Wit
ness the condition of the malarious flats behind
the White House, which has been urged upon
the people year after year. They shook their
heads and pronounced it disgusting and shame
full, just rs we do of the stenches in New York
But here are the stenches, and there are the
Hats. what we need Is not spasm now and
then of vague talk about the matter, but few
sIlful, energetic mechanics who know some
thing about sanitary science and also about the
practical building of drains The ordinary
plumber regards n defective trap only i'm the
Light of n days job he brings his hands, lead
pipe and solder to bear on it, but no brains.
He looks upon sanitary reform as the last
foolish whim of educated people. In the second
largest city of the United States all the most
scientific plumbers were called in last spring to
discover the cause of death breeding odor in
house, and one after another pronounced the
drainage perfect; finally laborer tuinbled
into huge PIT IN the cellar, closed for thirty
years, and discovered the secret.
Our doctors will no doubt bring back many
new appliances for saving life and curing dis
ease But until the danger of defective drain
age is urged upon the mass of the people
enough to make the subject one of as general
interest here us it is in London, and to create a
demand for intelligence and actual knowledge
among the practical mechanics who build our
dwellings and construct our drains, the new
appliances will be of little actual good to u.s.