The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-08-11

1t is also important that none of the filth
about canning houses be thrown into streams
of running water; for it is proven by science,
beyond doubt, that not only are noXious
odors carried in this way, but it is an estab-
lished fact that the water may convey disease
to animals, and TO those who use the milk
from the cows that drink of the polluted
stream, long distances below the source of
the pollution.
As precaution against excessive absorp-
ton of unwholesome matter into the earth
about the premises, it is advised that tightly
jointed board flooring or cement be used
throughout the factories wherever the fluids
are likely to fall and that they be carefully
and thoroughly washed ut least once in every
twenty-four hours. ..
AT all times the throwing the slops upon
the ground about the buildings should be care
fully avoided.
Ii is also suggested that the water used in
scalding Tomatoes should be more frequently
changed than is customary, ii being well
known that many Gamers continue to use
the same water until it becomes rocking with
filth
1t is n common subject of remark that
many OF the laborers who handle the fruit and
vegetables preparatory to canning, especially
those brought from the cities, are exceedingly
ncglcctful and careless in the matter of per
sonal cleanliness a fact which should engage
the attention of those who provide food for
thousands of our citizens. In this regard we
hope that "a word to the wise is sufficient"
We suggest also that the Gamers use
purer quality of tin for the canning of their
goods than many of them have hitherto been
in the habit of using, for at the present, ow-
ing to great competition among Canmakers
and the cutting" in prices, much of the tin
M, ,n1 in, In, f,pt,t Of,
tains VIC are informed, n considerable pro
portion of lead, and instances of "lead pos-
oning' have been clearly traced to the use OF
canned goods. If glass vessels could be sub
stituted for the tin, in the canning of the
fruits and vegetables, a serious objection TO
the use of these articles would thus be re-
moved.
1t is also due the public, who so extensive
ly and so literally patronize this industry,
that all Gamers should rigidly exclude from
their factories all unripe and unsound fruit.
The health of the consumers depend greatly
upon the quality of the fruits canned. The
reputation of the Gamer, in this regard, is
also involved and his hopes for future sue
cess in his business will brighten in proper
ton to the amount Of care and attention de-
voted to the selection of his articles and the
scrupulous regard for cleanliness adopted in
the process of canning.
After these preliminary remarks and sug-
gestlons, we now approach the chief subject
which especially engages our attention as
physicians and as members of the Board of
Health and which occupies u position of
vital Importance in its connection with the
physical comfort and welfare of the commu-
| mites in which canning factories are located.
We refer to the foul odors, and the conse-
quent diseases that emanate from the neglect
ed refuse vegetable matter, which is frequently
permitted to lie exposed to the sun in large,
uncovered heaps, and there undergo the
sickcning process of decomposition issuing
odors iniolcrably offensive to all who have
not become insensible to them through con-
| slant contacts and often with apparently IA
tai effect upon the lives of those who have
| thus become habituated to them.
In fulfillment of the instructions of the
Board of Health the committee, after careful
elaboration, make the following plain and
practical suggestions with regard to the dis
position of the otial about canncries and trust
| that every Gamer within the county will ac-
knowledge their justice and yield cheerful
| compliance to the suggestions made.
1t is bclieyed that the peelings and the juices
from tomatoes constitute the chief bulk of
the refuse materials about the majority of
canneries, from which noyious cilluva arises.
stances about the factories, It is recommended
that each Gamer employ a watcr.tight wa
gon-boX, on wheels or on runners, to be kept
| ut the door of his establishment for the re-
ccption of all the ofial, liquid and solid which
| shall be directly emptied into it-carefully
| avoiding the spiling of any portion of the
matters upon the floors or ground about the
Lmildmgs-and also avoiding the temporary
| use of barrels or boxes for these materials
until more convenient season." The rear
| end of the wagon box should be lower than
| the front, and should be provided with II
| movable tailboard, capable of being raised to
allow the contents to pass evenly out As
often MS this box becomes filled, the load
should be driven over field or pasture, or
| other land and, by raising the tail-board
sufficiently, permit the materials to escape in
uniform quantities oyer the surface where
| the drying effects of the sun and the absorb
| ing properties of the earth soon dssipate the
| gases, rendering them harmless to health, and
| at the same time furnishing valuable fertiz-
| ing materials from the substances which, if
| exposed to the sun in bulk, would fill the at
| mosphere with the most intolerable and noX
| ous etuvia.
Should the Gamer not have Il convenient
| field of his own, upon which to spread the
| materials from the canning house some neigh
| WI AWAY y Dt WIN NouINl Willingly
receive them in return for their fertilizing
properties.
1t is well known to farmers that this return
| of vegetable matter to the earth materially
| favors the abundance of their succeeding
crops, and experience has cXcmplified the
| fact that remarkably large crops have follow
ed i'm every instance where these materials
have been spread broadcast, as advised
In event, however of any canning house
being so located as to render the execution
| of these instructions impracticable, though
we can scarcely imagine such n case, the ma
| terials may be placed in piles or heaps on the
| surface-not in pits-as far from the factory
| and from human habitations rs time and
means will permit, and the heaps be covered
once every twenty-four hours with from four
to six inches of dry, pulverized carth-kept
under roof for the purpose-or with fresh
lime, or land-plaster together, separately, or
in turn, rs may best suit in the individual
case. These heaps should not be disturbed
until the occurrence of the freezing weather
of winter when they should be thinly scatter
ed over the surface of the land. The foregoing
directions apply to all vegetables and fruits
except corn. The green husll and cob of the
corn used for canning furnish valuable food
for cattle These materials should be hauled
out every day and scattered over the pasture
Helus, where Incy VIII 90 no narm, even II
not consumed by the stock They should
never be thrown into heaps and allowed to
fermcnt, or undergo decomposition, except
they be covered, as advised for tomatoes, &c;
for, by such process, their value as a ferti-
lzer is lost by the "iireing," and the odors
resulting are quite as Objectionable and as
deleterious to health and comfort as the other
substances already mentioned.
In conclusion we urgently recommend to
! the attention of all who are engaged in the