The San Antonio light. (San Antonio, Tex.) 1883-1886, 1883-04-28
CRY SANITATION.
An Authoritative Opinion on Many Points
of Interest to the Citizens.

An Authoritative Opinion on Many Points
of Interest to the Citizens.
Editor San Antonio Light
DIR. j. Braunnagel, City Physician and Health
Officer of San Antonio pro interim, intends 10
arrest all citizens keeping their premises in UNI
clean condition and explains this matter to an
Express reporter. As far as his intention goes
IL is q good one. But, the fact is, the city
authorities have employed during many years,
and at different seasons OF the year, several
SANITARY Policemen" to look into this impor-
tant matter From the statements In this
mornings Express It would seem as II nothing
had been done by these health officers, which is
not the fact. The duty of the Sanitary Police
is to investigate nuisancee detrimental TO pub
lie health and enforce compulsory measures
when and wherever needed and APP
proved by the Health Physician. This
method has been observed before. The
citizens IL is to he hoped, will not soon
forget that the Inauguration of a thorough
and efectual method of building and clean
ing privies is due to the efforts OF Mr.. Caen.
Our piivy system. but "a OF year ago, was in a
horrible dilapidated condition in most parts of
the city. Tho complaints made some days ago
against the managers of the, privy inspectors,
are unfOunded and seem to bear n malicious
character. Some privies around our beautiful
city spread more obnoxious evaporations than
the depository, situated 2 miles ont of the set
tied parts of the city The evaporatiOns from
its dirt and fifth deposited i'm the immediate vi
and especially the oifals and decaying material
from the saughter-houses, etc, where hum
dreds of buzzards and nyriads of flies gather on
their prey, are by far more OBJ
noxious than is the manner In which the
contents OF privies are taken care of by the
fertilizing company. From these sources
bacteria and other microscopical organisms
originate and are liable to be spread on and
into the human organism by means of the re-
spiratory or alimentary system, through in
incubation from mosquitOe or fly bites, etc. II
must be remembered that the deposits from
priVies at the factory is converted into fertilz.
ing substance, by means of a solidifying pro-
cess with lime and other ingredients, thus this
matter is takon care of at one place only, and
the water strata is too deep to be reached and
polluted. The factory is situated on a hill
where the water strata has an immense depth,
proved by persons who dug wells but could
not get water. Should the depository be detri-
mental to public health on this account then we
undoubtedly would have had an epidemic of
typhoid fever, Inalarial fever, cholera or other
diseases of the alimentary canal. The few
cases of measles and diseases from the respira-
tory organs are due TO other uncertain causes,
for the fact that they exist in the country as
well as in other cities of the State and outside
even in greater and more maligned form
than here. SO much for this matter.
In conclusion, beg to state that these lines
are communicated with no i'll intent whatever
to the present Health Officer; but ! deemed IL
my duty to say something on subject con-
corning me personally, inasmuch us some OBJ
noxious wrepulling has been going on of late.