The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1883-09-27
GERM, POISON AND SANITATION
FOR AUSTIN.

Vi CIVIL LII bLAo why ONASeN
are very correct for no more evil
spirit can possibly pervade commu-
nifty, or a household, or bedroom,
than that which, through the preva-
lence of unsanitary measures, nour-
ishes poisonous germs that have been
put afloat either by decaying matter or
by exhalations of the diseased
DR.. Cradle claims that this belief of
savages is verified by hu man intelli-
gence of the very highest order. The
germ theory, he goes on to say, does
away with the medical ignorance
which formerly attributed the origin
of disease to a "cold," impurities of
the blood" or, in the case of conta-
gious diseases, to a genus epidemi-
Gus" In the light of the germ theory
disease is a struggle for existence be-
tween the parts of the organism and
parasite invading it. Modern re-
search has rendered it likely, that the
diseases due to external violence. i'm
proper food, poisons and other influ
ences are not so numerous as those
produced by the invasion of the body
by parasites. These parasites are not
anlmalcule, but belong to the very
lowest vegetable order, spe-
cies of fungi known as bacteria.
They are of three classes-the rod
shaped, being termed bacilli, the
granular, micrococci, and the screw
shaped, spirilla. Bacteria are all
about us. The water we drink and
the air we breathe are teeming with
these minute forms of life. They are
deposited on all objects exposed to the
air, and although in dry state they
are not readily recognized, even by
the aid of a microscope, the fact of
their existence is easily demonstrated
by their power of multiplication. In
suitable soil, says the doctor, each
bacterium grows and then divides into
two young bacteria within the period
of less than an hour, and progeny
continues the work of the ancestors.
at this rate single germ, if not
stinted for food, will produce astound-
ing numbers within twenty-four
hours. During their growth The bac-
terra live upon the fluid of the soil.
The decomposition of all organic SUBJ
stances is due to their presence, and
without bacteria there would be no
putrefaction. But the bacteria of
putrefaction are not necessarily iden-
tical with the bacteria of disease, d
misrepresentation which DR.. Cradle
thinks has materially retarded the
progress of the germ theory. Each
disease has its special parasite, and
can be produced by no other species.
Hence rotting refuse may and
may not contain disease-produc-
ing germs, most of which ap-
pear to require a special soil for
their growth. Thus, some parasites
which flourish and multiply in dead
blood at once die themselves when
introduced into living blood; and yet
these agents of corruption may cause
grave sickness when introduced into
the blood in any quantity. If the
theory of increase be correct, and
there is no reason for believing it in
correct, we find by calculation that
one pair of bacteria, under most favor
ing conditions, will produce in six
hours fifteen thousand billions of bac-
terra. How rapidly then may favor
ing circumstances fill home
with densely floating germs, implant-
ing themselves, when conditions suit
in the bodies of those who are not
diseased, and thus making them a
prey to terrible diseases. We may
imagine then how yellow fever and
cholera and other fatal diseases spread
in communities. One person is at
tackled, and, if conditions prevail for
the rapid growth of germs, they null
tiply and pervade community, until
every breath carries into the human
system millions of these poisonous
bacteria. If the body be in condition
not able to repel their inroads, it soon
succumbs. The Importance of sani-
tation in houses and in commune
ties, then, may be understood,
when it is known that poisonous
gases. feeding the germs, open the way
for disease TO hold high revel. Hence
it is we have so often urged SANTA
ton. No-human agency may tell
when dire disease may stalk ia our
| midst, and for it there should be pre-
paration. Pneumonia. it is said, is
caused by one of the forms of bacte-
ria. and all remember how, last winter,
this terrible disease prevailed in it's
various degrees of intensity, in al
most every home in Austin. Here
we are, living on at the mercy of cir
cumstances, at any time danger
Gus to the community, and it is pure
crimnality in our city authorities
to permit it. Other city governments
watch with most jealous care over
the health of their respective commu-
mites, but here we live in locality
that God created to be especially pure,
each year poisoning these hills and
valleys, laying up stores upon which
disease germs may grow. Austin, the
capital of Texas, the seat of great
university, the home of the states
elimosinary institutions, exists under
charter, which turns the city govern
ment over to incompetence. No san
itary system exists, and its inhabi-
tants are left to struggle for health,
aided only by the pure air of heaven
driving away and destroying the poi
sonous gases that rise from almost
every quarter of the town. The advice
of sanitary engineer is wanted, and
then execution, and finally super
vision by sanitary officer, whose dis
tinguishing qualifications must not
be those of DIR. Bolus, on who has
learned sanitation as science, who
has practiced it with advantage to
himself as sanitarst.
THE plan to make Newport News