The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1885-05-01
RACINE BOARD OF HEALTH
CHOLERA PRECA UTION-KE-
NOSHA INTERESTED.


NOSHA INTERESTED.
DR.. J. G.. Meachem, Jr., President of
the Board Of Health of Racine, has
made his annual report of the deaths
in the city during the year ending
April 1, 1885, panied with inter-
esting statistical facts. The whole
number of deaths have been 500; this
in an estimated population Of $1,000
gives ia to every 1000 inhabitants.
The report says this is an unusual
mortality for Racine, and is largely
due to the prevalence of contagious
diseases. In view of the probable
appearance Of cholera in this country
the present season, DR.. Meachem urges
a special appropriation by the city to
enable the Board of Health to make
thorough examination Of the city, to
the end that the producing causes of
disease may be removed. This advice
applies to Kenosha and other cities as
well as Racine.
AS the Kenosha Board of Health has
made no official report, no statement
of the death rate in this place can be
given; our physicians say the amount
of sickness has been above the average
of other years. Disease in many in
stances has been induced from the
uncleanliness of streets, alleys, and
other causes which are naturally sug-
gested. The recommendation of
thorough inspection of the sanitary
condition of Racine by DR.. Meachem,
applies with equal force to Kenosha.
Past experiences in this city should
admonish us to be prepared for cholera
visitation. The first appearance of
cholera in this city was in May
1S49; there were little over a half
dozen deaths, but its presence here
produced CONSERVATION and alarm
ohiO4iS IhO CitiACIo VI CliO tOWus
Its stay was short; its re-appear-
ance the next year was believed
improbable, and no precautions were
taken to guard against a second visi
tation. In the early part of August,
1850, the cholera again unexpectedly
appeared in dwelling at the foot of
Market street on the lake shore.
Market street at that time was quite
compactly built up on the north side
with small frame dwellings from the
lake to Main street. Deaths of from one
to four persons from this terrible dis
ease occurred in every house on the
street, with one exception, as far west
as Exchange street. On the breaking
out of the cholera in the city at that
time the city council commenced a
more vigorous work to arrest the prog
ress Of the disease than was ever be-
fore or probably since attempted here
in similar exigency. An immediate
inspection of every house. out-building
and appendage was ordered, and what
ever was found calculated to foster
disease was directed to be removed or
abated in twenty-four hours. A men,
orandum of the order in each case was
placed in the hands of the city marshal,
who was directed that wherever the
order for such removal or abatement
had not been obeyed to employ help to
execute the work, and cause the ex-
pense to be charged to the occupants or
lot holders. There was an earnestness
in this business, and never was there |
town more speedily changed from a |
of filthiness to cleanliness.
Had this work of cleansing the city
been performed months earlier. no
doubt much human life might have
been saved. Although the order to
put the city in condition to resist the
deadly destroyer was late, still it un-
questionably did much to stop the
death march. This city would do well
TO profit by the lessons of the past, and
not delay preparation for the worst.
Suppose the city is put to the small
expense of carrying into effect wise
sanitary regulations. and then after all ]
he cholera does not come, where is the |
oss? The general health of the peo-