Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1883-07-12
SANITARY REGULATIONS.

Several of our neighborin. towns have
for years suffered severely from the dis
ease known as diphtheria. Scores and
hundreds of children and adults have
been afflicted and large portion have
died The disease has bafiled the skill
of the best physicians, and really has
been far more difficult Of successful
treatment than the small pox. Most Of
those who have treaten and watched the
progress Of the disease, pronounce it
more contagious than the small pox, and
to prevent it spreading requires more
strict sanitary regulations. Lewiston
has had developed among her people
several pronounced cases, several Of
which have terminated fatally, and yet
there seems to have been but little, if
any, diminution of the daily inter ming
ling Of children of families where the dis
ease is cxtant with those of other families
and but little precautions observed to-
wards the spread of the disease by taking
antidotcs and keeping as far Il, practica
bic away from contact with the disease.
But this seems to be the exception rath
or than the rule, and under this order Of
things the disease if at all contagious, is
liable to gradually spread and become an
epidemic, that will prove fatal in very
many households One would suppose
that simple knowledge Of the fact that
"A member Of the family was afflicted,
would induce others to obtain from com
inc in contact But which seems not to
be the rule in very many cases. Curios-
ity, a friendly desire to help the afflicted
cases, many too imprudent become ex-
posed, and thus the disease spreads. We
cannot always tell just how, or when the
fatal exposure takes place. But the fact
staros us in the face that the disease has
been communicated Now under this
state of facts we suggest that our city es-
tablsh some sanitary regulations to pre-
vent the spread of the disease When a
case has been developed in any house
hold, let there be some signal of the
disease, be placed where every passer-by
will be made aware of the fact, and all
DESTROYS of avoiding the contagion, be
duly fo,warncd of the danger Let pro
vision be made for proper nursing and
medical skill for the patient. Let there
be suitable cleansing Of all premises
from the filth that engenders and perpet-
yates disease. Let the waters used in
the town for domestic purpose be anal
yzed and purged of all impurities, if
found to contain any. Avoid in time of
prevalence of the disease, as much as
practicable promiseuous public gatherings
where the disease may spread from cases
that may be first developing themselves.
If these methods do not answer make
hospital regulations and require every
case to be removed to hospital where
contact will be far less liable to occur. In
many cases rigid rules and regulations
may save the lives of scores of persons.
1t is of little use to exhibit alarm, but in
telligent and faithful efforts to prevent
the spread of the disease is one of the
first duties of our municipal authorities
as we'll as that of every citizen. Firm
ness, fidelity and perseverance, and
promptness are qualities, accompanied
with intelligence, that are requisite in
our municipal authorities, when an epe-
demic Of fatal character becomes in any
manner prevalent in our community, and
the citizens every where among us should
encourage and uphold these qualities in
our authorities.
Since writing our sanitary article we are
informed that at the city council on Monday
eve, committee consisting Of Alexander
j. Kester, and N. w. Brearley, of the coun-
Gil, and Il. j.. Monroe. l. c. Hattabauph, A. |
Benson, and d. d. Bunne,l of the citizens
were appointed as health committee for
the city of Lewiston, with discretionary au-
thority to adopt and carry out such sanitary
regulations as they deem important to pre-
vent the spread and prevalence of disease in
the city, aud with full power to enforce
the regulations adopted. Let this commit
tee be live one and not dead carcass.