Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1884-08-13
PREVENTION OF CHOLERA.


A Circular from the State Board OF
Health.
The Wisconsin State Board of Health
has issued to local boards Of health,
health officers and the public in general,
circular on the prevention of cholera.
The board introduces the subject by
saying:
1t is beyond question chat the cholera of gen.
ulne Aslatlc type exists in several places on the
Western shore of Europe, and, in the opinion
of those best informed concerning 1t, there is
great danger that it will spread from these CEN
tiers of infection, and following the course of
previous cholera epidemics, will reach this
country within the next few months, while there
is possibility of its doing so at any time.
Very recent experience has gwen US proof
that disease may develop itself in inland towns
in Wisconsin In persons WHO bring with them
the germs Of sickness of which there were no
recognized manifestations during the brief
time needed for transit from the seaboard.
Smallpox was thus lately conveyed, In one
instance in the bedding of immigrants, III an
other ID their persons, and there is no reason
why cholera may not be brought to us in the
same way. Thus it will be seen that there is
! no place in the state that can be reckoned safe,
from the visitation of cholera. while places on
lines of railroad travel are especially exposed.
In view of these facts, the State Board of
Health desires to urge upon all local boards,
communities and individuals the duty of MAX
ing such preparations as will enable them in
the first instance to resist the approaches of
cholera, and IN the second, to prevent it from
gaining foothoid should it unfortunately be
brought to them in the way suggested. To be
forewarned in this matter should be to be fore
armed also.
The worst and most violent outbreaks Of chol-
era occur where sanitary conditions are bad;
IruIo
Of water are found; where the drinking water
is polluted; where ventilation is neglected. and
where the people are OvercroWded. It is true that
such conditions always exist III many places,
and it is not here claimed that they produce
cholera. Nevertheless, it is not only certain
that they furnish fit soil for the reception of
the special cause of the disease, but it is also
well established fact that the specific cholera
infection cannot find lodgment to any great ex-
tent or seriously ipjure any community in
which the sanitary conditions are such as do
not invite its presence or favor It's develop
ment.
The circular then warns the people of Wis
cOIsln to prepare now to resist and prevent
cholera, and recommends on the part IF health
boards and sanitary authorities IN all parts of
the state the taking OF the following precau-
tions Thorough sanitary inspection of every
city, town and village; he drainage of all stag
pant pools and low, wet grounds; the careful
cleansing and disinfection of all sewers and
public drains; the cleansing ana ds1ntectlng or
all privy vaults; the destruction entire and COM
| plete of all accommodations Of filth that may be
discovered. On the part of private citizens and
| hOuseholders the circular recommends a careful
investigation AID thorough cleansing of cellars,
| barns and out-houses generally; of house
drains, sinks, cess pools and privy vaults, to-
| gether with frequent and plentiful use
| of lime whitewash wherever it may
| be appropriate; attention TO the ventilation of
all parts of the ellipg, avoidance OF any
| thing like over crowding in living rooms or bed
rooms; in short, the most scrupulous cleanliness
in all respects, both indoors and out-Of-doors
1t states that very efficient way of disposing
of much refuse, both of households and COM
munities, and one to be highly commended, is
to destroy it by burning. Attention IS called
to the importance of looking with especial
care to the character Of drinking water as it
is in the water used for drinking purposes that
the germs of cholera most frequently enter
the system. Examination of the wells and
similar sources of supply should be made now,
the circular urges, las the leakage of privy
vaults and cess-pools into wells, the water of
which is highly esteemed is a matter of more
frequent occurrence than the owners of wells
deem possible" The circular ssys that "With
the precautions suggested duly observed we
shall have little reason to fear CHOLERA; while If
they be neglected. and the disease should come
to us, its maligaity in any given community
will probably be in the direct proportion to the
degree Of negligence existing there" The
circular is signed for the board by ). I. Reeve,
M. D., secretary, and copies Of it may be
secured upon application to him by letter. His
address is Appleton. Wis.