The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-06
Tha Public Health.
Communicated

The Public Health.
Communicated
That "lhe public health is the public
wealth" is no longer regarded ss al unwar-
ranted maxim or q prevaricating assumption,
bat it is accepted as great truth which de-
mands a large share of the earnest consider
alton Of those who legislste for the hsppi-
ness and prosperity of the people. A depart
ment of public health is absolutely necessary
to put in operation the now we'll known
means at our command to prevent disease
and stay the march of wasting epidemics.
Much has doubtless been done by our Stats
Board to indicate what's more liberal and a
more perfect organization msy accomplish.
but with its limited resources snd
lack of authority to enforce such
~observances as its members have
had time to determine are essential to the
health of the people, the work it has done
is not we'll calculated to give a favorable i'm
preston as to the great good that q well or
gsnized State health department is destined
10 ultimately accomplish.
No question at this time is receiving more
attention than that which is an answer TO
the inquiry "how shall disease be prevented
and the health Of the people be maintsined?"
There is not q government in the civilized
WIN tLAAA . " ~ VILE tAAA10
plans and enacting laws to consummate this
end. That we may form some estimate of
what may be done by properly directed eff
forts it is only necessary to answer a few
plain questions.
1. What is the most common, predis-
posing and existing'cause of consumption
the moet common and fatal of all chronic
diseases? Answer: Damp dwellings, stu.
ated upon GELD, undrained lands, with musty
cellars under sleeping and sitting rooms;
small, poorly ventilated and improperly
warmed apartments, which are shut out
from the sunlight. together NTH undue at
tention to cleanliness, proper clothing and
care of person.
2. What tends to breed malaria and in.
tensify it's detrimental influence in disturb
ing the functions. undermining the
health and destroying life? Answer: Lo-
eating dwelling houses in close prox-
unity with ponds of water and Doggy,
o~yerhowing land, upon which grows q rank
crop OF grass or weeds. or In which rae drift
and the surface w~aehings of the surround
ings; by situatiDg your dweliing-house on
the side Of this course that catches the wind
drifting over them; also, from allowing
drift To gather m rot on the banks, or in
the bed OF running streams; by not cleaning
the; channel of streams, and by permitting
f);h and decomposing matter to accumu-
is lie on any wet land; not properly ditched;
hom using drinking water that is contami-
Ertr0 ny c0} VI LlScc Cdu5rcs u llOu LILO
washing of the surface, together by avoiding
the night air when rapid evaporation IS 60
ing of from the ground in damp weather.
3. How shall we lessen the number OF
cases of typhoid fever, diphtheria, scarlet
fever, dysentery, and arrest the march OF
eases named above7 Answer: By allowing
no filth OF any kind TO accumulate around
our dwellings, or in streets on any ground
around town or city; by a~llowingno offensive
outbuildings or washings from them or from
the dwelling to either evsporate into the air
We breathe, or to contaminate the waters we
drink; By judicous sewage and clean, disin-
fected priyies and cellars; by living temperate.
clearly and cheerful during the time such
visitations are threatened.
4. How may many calamities that result
from fire in machine shops, public and pri-
vste buildings, and in railroad and other ac-
cidents, be prevented? Answer: First, by
making all plans for public buildings, work
shops, theaters, churches, schools. or for any
building in which people collect in any great
number. conform to such requirements IS
will insure the most attainable safety against
fire. To forbid such local causes as result
from the business carried on within, from
accommodating and remaining in the absence
of workmen or private ~watchmen. To COM
pei all machinery whose motion endaugers
life TO be of the best quality and under
the care of q Waterman or subject to inspec-
tlon IS often as may De 10unQ necessary. 10
compel every building to be provided with
ample doorwsys and room for all that it will
entertain, TO get out in case OF fire. To de-
mand of railroads to be responsible for the
lives of the men that they employ,
while in the discharge OF their duty,
and the lives of those who ara
killed travelling on them, or killed by them
along their route, when such accidents occur
from bad machinery, bad road, or inferior
material of any kind, or that results from
any bad management or improper work of
the men under their employ, O. from any
cause that the best skilled aud the most care
full management would have avoided. Men
running machinery Of any kind should
be responsible for the lives of those who
are serving them faithfully and according
to their orders. These are but few of the
many causes that endanger tbs life and
health of the people that may with due care
be either entirely prevented or 30 managed
as 20 save thousands of lives each year.. At
another time we will give our views of what
legislation is needed to put come life-saving
plan in operation, with the promise of best
results ]. w. HARVEY.
Indianapolis, Jan. 3. 1885.