The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1883-01-01

Accompanying the table is a report, from
whichthe appended information is CLEANED.
From the records as far back of 1866, when Ash
attic cholera, and pcrnicious malaral feverS pre-
vailed, and il is to be seen that in but one year,
lS19 the mortality in the city assumed an epiden-
ic character. This epidemic was OF smallpox and
was confined mostly to poorer class of inhabi-
tantS. EIhe greatest mortality was among non
residents and was due principally to lung dis
eases, especially consumption. The next highest
per centage of deaths was occasiOned by COIL
YulsiOns and lOckjaw, confined to infants and
children and due To pathological and, perhaps,
atmospheric causes. A majority of the deceased
in the last six years were nOn-residents.
Sudden changes of weather undoubtedly have
great influence on the healthfulness of the city.
Ii is known. for instance, that maarial feverS,
intermittent fever and diseases of the throat
and lungs prevail after heavy rains, not only in
the city but in the surrounding country.
The mortality among chldren-persons under
II years of agc-haS been enormous, In 1879
ont of 523 deaths from all causes there were HOS
deaths among Infants In this number, how
ever, the number of children dead when deliY-
cred is included. In 1881 of $50 deaths 4 were Of
children.
In iSS2rhe total number of deaths was 5lS.a de-
crease of ~ as compared with &c number for
the year previous.
The climate of san Antonio is, undoubtedly,
very healthfu, and only the winter months are
preiudicial to lung diseases. But, nOtwith-
standing the natural advantages san Antonio
has over other cities, il should not be forgotten
TO constantly keep the city in clean condition,
and in order TO accomplish this the citizens
sanitation. The condition of dwellings in
fluences the general health of the population
considerably. IL is, therefore, of great impor
lance that particular attention be given TO san
itary requirements whom houses are building
They should be erected on dry ground, well
drained; the rooms should be large in order
that light and ventilation may be obtained.
The undcrlOOrs of houses are often Uttered
wlrh all sorts of filth, adding in large degree,
TO the creating and the maintaining of sickness.
All citizens should provide themselves with
Wv NUfaIn nal
spring water-nOt that trOm bath-housos-it is
the most healthful IN the city. As matter of
vital importance TO the community hydrant
water should be made more easily accessible To
the poorer cliSS of inhabitants, particularly
those who now use ditCh water for household
purposes. We have maIS capitalists who build
houses; let them build themselves an
everlasting monument 10y placing health
full water within reach of the poor.
San Antonio, with its narrow streets and damp
cellars, its mixed and growing population, its
filthy deposits, should use all means TO improve
its sanitary condition.
Especial attention should be given to food.
Cakes and candies, like patent medicines, are
often injurious, and many instances are on rec
ord of children. contracting incumble diseases
and dying because of their use, If in toNica-
ting liquors be used beer and good vine are pre-
fcrable to whisky.
The law covering the construction Of pryy-
vaults should be strictly enforced. At present
vaults are constructed in manner prejudicial
10 the health of the city.
IL lies within the power of the city authorities
to adopt some effective plan for the erection of
street-gutters along cenented payements, also
a plan for surface drainage. Mr.. Caen's off
TO furnish an apparatus for the burning of all
filth and garbage deposited without the city,
the Cify government should unhcsitatingly ac-
sept Filth ana dead animals accumulate daily
and from year TO y6af, They should be des-
troyed by fire, not left 10 decay and produce
uiasma.
During the year 1882 100 INDECENT sick per-
sons were treated at Santa Rosa Hospital by the
city physician. SXty-four were American,
43 German, 10 Mexican, IA colUred, 81 Irish,
English, Italian, French, Canadian, Nor
wegian, Australian. Eighteen had consump-
ton, 10 pneumonia, asthma, braln-diseast's,
4 rheumatism, dropgy, paEalysiS, menin-
gifts cystitis, 9diarrhoea, dysentGry. . ulcers
of the bowels, ~ malarial fever, IL typhoid
fever 9shOt-wOunds, knife-wounds, IL con-
tusions, ] rupture, fracture of the skull, :
oGiGg.Rsiop of the brain, 10 fracture of long
bones GbsGaic ulcers, 4 syphilis, necrosis OF
bones, inflammation Of the knce-jOint, heart
disease, WOmb-diseaSes end one suffered from
lead poisoning. Twelve were rcsQrplst ~ nom
residents. Six died.