St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-20
FIGHTING THE CHOLERA.

FIGHTING THE CHOLERA.
Il Circular Letter from the Secretary of the
Board of Health.
| A Springfield, Qlls.) telegram reports the
action of the estate Board Of HEALTH
/ In accordance with the action OF the State
Board of Health at Its last meeting, the secre-
tary Of the board has issued the following
circulars to the mayors and presidents OF
boards of trustees of nearly seven hundred
cities, towns, and villages throughout the
| state. In view of the spread of Asatic chol-
era in Europe, the widest publicity for the
advice here given is desired:
At the recent meeting of the state board OF
health, held in Springfield, July 2 and g.,
1884, the following resolution was adopted:
| Rssoloed, That, while epidemic cholera may
be excluded from this country by thoroughly
enforced quarantine regulations, yet the best
attainable sanitary condition of every loeali-
| ty in the state should be secured, SO that in
the event of Asiatic cholera effecting an en-
trance, notwithstan ding quarantine, the
disease may be fought under the most favor
able circumstances; and the secretary is,
therefore, hereby authorized to take such ac-
ton as in his Judgment viii most probably
obtain thorough sanitary Organization OF
the state, and the adoption and enforcement
of the measures necessary toimprove its gen
erel sanitary condition"
1t is entirely possible that we may escape a
visitation of Asiatic cholera this year, al
though there is yet plenty of time for the dis
! ease to reach our shores before cold weather.
! But even if there were no danger from this
| source, it should be reHem bered that every
thing which is done in the direction of sani-
! tary Observation-Disclosures the general health,
reduces the amount of sickness, and lessons
the death-rate. An obvious duty, therefore
rests at all times, but more urgently at pres
ent upon those charged with the admins
tration of public health affairs to take such
steps as may be necessary to remedy any de-
fects in the existing sanitary status.
To this end general inspection of the en-
tire territory under your jurisdiction should
be made forthwith. and all nuisancss or 9TH
er conditions injurious to the public health,
which may be disclosed by such inspection
should be promptly abated.
Especial attention should be paid to-
First-The condition of the water sup
ply.
second-The disposition of night-soil,
garbage and sewage.
Third-The cleansing of streets, alleys,
and other public places.
Fourth The supervision of food supplies,
and Of market places, slaughter; and simil-
ar establishments.
Fifth-The general sanitation of every
house and its surroundings.
! l Water is one Of the commonest medi-
ums through which cholera spreads; but,
aside from this, typhoid and malarial fevers,
diarrhea, dysentery, and other diseases, are
caused by impure and polluted water. Hence
the necessity of protecting the supply from
contamination by surface-washings and
drainage of filthy soil or premises, or wastes
from manufacturing establishments, or by
seepage through the ground from privy-vaults
cess pools, etc.
2 Night-soil, garbage, sewage and all 9th
| er forms of decomposing organic matter
are highly prejudicial to health, and their
foul oders are indications of danger. The
various methods of their proper disposal, SO
as to render them harmless, are well under
stood, and should be enforced according to
the varying condition of each locality.
3 Clean streets and alleys, and cutters
properly drained and kept free from insight
ly and filthy accumulations are of even
greater importance during the heat of sum
mer than at other times. The healthy con-
dition of the atmosphere of locality largely
depends upon the conditions of its thorough
fares.
The rapid decomposition of most ar
! ticles of food during the hot weather-the
tainting, souring, willing, or rotting process
ses-and the arrangements of the stomach
and bowels caused by the use of such food,
indicate the necessity for special supervision
at this time of all food supplies, and of the
places where they are prepared, stored or
disposed of.
3. The foundation of healthy living is,
obviously, the individual home and It's sur
roundin&. Houses, cellars, yards, and out
buildings should be carefully inspected, and
all accumulations of garbage, refuse and
filth of every description should be removed,
or, where this is not practicable, they
should be rendered harmless by appropriate
treatment No house or premises can be
healthy without proper drainage. If this is
not secured by sewers or underground drains
then recourse should be had to surface drains
so as to prevent the possibility of stagnaDt
water under the dwelling or in its vicinity.
Cellars should be dry, clean and well venti-
lated, so that they may not generate foul air
to be drawn up through the house.
1t is desired that this work Of inspection
and remedying of evils and defects be begun
at the earliest practicable moment. anl "a
preliminary report be made to this office,
covering, in general way, the existing
sanitary condition and the measures adopted
and enforced for its improvement.
In connection with this report information
concerning your public health provisions is
also desired. | have, therefore, to request
the names and addresses of your health COM
missioner, health officer, members of your
board of health, or kindred officials, and
copies of your health laws, ordinances, rules
and regulations, etc.
With this information from every part OF
the state the board will be able to secure
concert of action, and to direct, intelligent
~ and efficiently, whatever measures may be
found necessary, should, unfortunately, any
emergency arise requiring sucha action.
Forms of health ordinances, adapted to
the various organization of villages. towns,
and cities in the state, are now being pre-
pared, and copies of the same will be fur
nished on application.
4 Good Bn,.0Hip