The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-07-31

caption appeared an editorial in THE |
STATESMAN of Sunday, the goth inst,
in which you draw differences concern |
ing the lack of necessity of local Sani- |
tation as preventive of an epidemic of |
cholera, which are not, in my opinion,
justified by the conclusions and recon-
mendations of the celebrated German
cholera investigator, DR.. Koch, whose
discoveries you there discuss. You
say: "The old notions about disinfec-
ton and fumigation, which, In yellow
fever, so admirably suit importers of
goods from infected ports, must go by
the board, being proven by the revela-
lions of DR.. Koch to be mischlevous
humbugs in the way of illusory by
giene and imaginary prophylacties."
This is strong language, and, unless
fully justified by the deductions OF the
great German discoverer, may be mis-
Leading and disastrous. Does this
published interview with him, which
appeared in THE STATESMAN of
the 10Th inst, admit of such
conclusions? l think not. But
let us see what he says that there may
be no erro neous conclusion drawn. 81
have already told you contamination
is not caused by air, but by absorption
of microbes in affecting food, especial
ly water and solid food introduced
into the digestive tube" Further on
he says eyes, it also explains the ne.
cessity of taking only well-cooked
food, peeled fruits, vegetables and
preserves. Microbes cannot live in a
concentrated solution of phrenic acid,
or IN dry atmosphere. Remember
they develop and multiply in the
damp. They have been found in ponds
in cholera countries" In response to
an inquiry about watering the streets
and boulevards, he pronounced
"the practice dangerous, as it favors
the conditions rendered for the repro
duction and propagation of microbes"
In no place in that interview does
he intimate that local sentative and
hygiene, illusory. On the contrary
he even says that city had much bet
ter be very dry and dusty, than to
have moisture upon the streets. 1t is
not reasonable to assume that Koch
would have all moisture and filth, for
filth implies moisture, removed from
our streets, alleys aud CUTTERS He says
the microbe is found in ponds in chol-
era countries. Would he advise the
OAlSIOuOO VI llOS PO41Nlo Ill aug
tin. Koch advises the closing up of
wells, and encourages the drink
ing OF boiled water. In paper read
before the Austin Homeopathic Med
ical society, last week, l advised the
removal of all animal and vegetable
decaying matter from the surface
supply our wells and running streams.
In nrdor tn fhio xuotor oOntan
nation, which DR.. Koch dwells upon,
as the most important cause of the
cholera microbe. And yet you say
local sanitation is illusory.
The Paris Academy of Medicine, in
recommending the opening of cholera
hospitals, seems to Justify the conclu-
sion you have arrived at. But to our
mind they only imply what all medi-
cal men know to be true, that cholera
occasionally visits localities which are
perfectly cieanly, therefore sanitation
is not all sufficient. Hospitals should
be established and isolation prac-
ticed.
Goodeve, in Reynolds System of
Practice, the latest English Encyclo-
p8dia, says: "Tbere is abundant EVIL
dence that foul atmosphere promotes
the severity of cholera" and, alter
giving what appears to be notable ex-
ceptions 10 this rule, he says: Never
thelJss, in spite of these exceptions, the
places in which the air is most Initiated
from privies, cess-pools drains, decaying
animal and vegetable refuse (Austin)
or overcrowding and concentration of
human emanatIons, arc those in
which cholera has generally been
most fatal and most widely spread"
Bartholow's (American) Practice,
(recent) says: "Cholera is always
spread rapidly when the drinking
water is supplied from the surface
drainage, end hence is rich in organic
matter" He also says ga hot moist
stagnant atmosphere is especially
favorable to the development of the
epidemic influence"
Without desiring to be hypercriti-
cal, it seems to me that the greatest
caution should he exercised in iterpret-
ing differences such as those of the
Paris academy, lest disastrous conse-
quences follow, and cholera history be
allowed to repeat itself in our country.
In concluding, allow me to express
what believe to be the sentiment of
this communlty-an appreciation of
THE STATESMAN's interest in matters
pert aiming to public health. Of course
we all desire to attain the same re-
suits. If we have differences, they
are those pertaining to ways and
means. G. E, FISHER, M. d.