Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1885-07-23
COUNTRY HOUSES.
The Two Dangers that Environ Them
Water Supply and Waste Matter.

The Two Dangers that Environ Them
Water Supply and Waste Matter.
The two great dangers of country
houses are pollution of the water sup
ply and of the air by contact with waste
matter. Owners of property are left
TO build their drains and bcstow their
garbage rs ignorance and Incidence
prompt with no official supervision,
and the consequence is that some Of the
loyeliest spots are nests Of low fever,
diphther.a and dysentery.
In choosing a summer home prefer
ence should be given to a region of
gravelly or sandy soil, clay soils hold
ing the surface water too long and
making the air damp and chilly. Where
there IS plumbing in :he house the
waste-pipes should be at least fifty feet
from the well, lest the ground, becom-
ing inhltrated with purifying organic
matter, should convey the taint thther.
Where wasto-pipcs or cess-pool are
nearer .he well, or wherever surface
washings can contaminate il. it is far
safer to substitute rain water for cook
ing and drinking purposes than to use
wcll-water. II the roof and quit ,rs are
kept clean. and the rain water collected
and stored, which can be easily and
cheaply done. the supply Will be sulii-
cient and perfectly heslthful. It is.
however, wiser to boil it for drinking,
then cool, and afterwarl aerate il. II
filters are used for publication they
must be taken apart and the strainrrs
carefully washed and dried at least
once fortnight. Otherwise they be-
come useless, the sand aud charcoal re-
tanning organic impurities; nnd impart-
ing a disagreeable taste 20 the water.
No kitchen s.ops, either from wash
tubs or dish-pan, must bO thrown upon
the ground or into that open drain too
often found at the back of the house.
Boarders should fly place where this
untidiness exists. Organic waste testers
In the hot sun, and the saturated ground
gives forth incense fit for Bcelzebub, god
OF flies. All household waste should be
removed as fast rs IL gathers aud lightly
buried. In the dark laboratory of tho
earth noxious matter Is tHrncd at once
TO sweet and wholesome uses Lawn
and garden thrive on what Is fatal to
man. But II this can not be done, then
the kitchen waste should he burned two
or three times a day. No standing pals
OF garbage should be allowed TO tempt
flies and deiile the fragrant air.
The cond ton OF the cellar is far
more important than that OF the pnrlor.
In light rooms dirt is comparatively
harmless. In dark places II Is lurk-
ing danger. No old wood, no vegeta-
blcs, no rubbish Of any kind, should be
allowed to. cumber the cellar, which
should have a waterproof and air-tight
floor, 70 prevent ground-air and soil
moisture from rising TO the living
rooms But asl this Is almost never
found in houses TO rent, II Is necessary
that all cellar doors and windows should
bo daily opened for free circulation OF
air.
The water from eayei-pipes, II not
saved in a cistorn, should b. carried so
far from the house in well-laid pipes
that there will be no contiguous surface
dampness or wet foundation walls
Dampness Is a ready vehicle for disease.
as well as fruitful cause for II
Another source of danger is decaying
vegetable refuse in garden or grounds.
| Careless servants leave rhubarb leaves,
prunings Of vines or weeds wherever
they fall, instead Of taking them to the
compost pit or burning them. II they
are out. OF sight they are out Of mind,
till they recall themselves In ylsitationa
OF headaches, aching bones, or irritable
tempern
10 short eternal vigilance Is the
price Of liberty from disease, as from
ether usurpers. Voltaire said that In.
carnations would destroy flock Of
sheep--if administered with the proper
quantity Of arsenic. Going to the
country will ward OF epldemics the
proper sanitary conditions are oh.
served But II VIC put a superstitious
faith In country air, 10 the neglect ol
constant scrutiny and intelligent pre-
caution. II is likely that our last state
will bo worse than our frat There 4
very little probability Of visitation ol
Aslatic cholera But the conditions
Vat favor American fever, malarial OF
typhoid. are oninipresent And the
great army Of summer refugees from
the cities should consider whether
through heedlessness, they may not OK
change King Log for King Stork.--
HarDer's 3asqr.