San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1886-04-28
WEDNESDAY, APRIL %. 1886.
CLEAN UP THE CITY.

The early appearance OF cholera at
Brindisi and the report of its appearance
in Germany are warning to America
to prepare to meet the scOurge which is
certainly approaching her shores. The
history of this dread epidemic has been
SO frequently recalled, and its periOdi-
city so plainly determined that sanitary
science is able to predict quite accurate
ly the course it travels and the time it
usually takes to reach any given point.
The disease usually manifests itself
among the pilgrims to Hudwar, India,
and has general recurrence in malig-
nant form every twelve or fourteen
years. From Hudwar it is carried west
ward by the caravans returning to Cen
tral Asia, Persia and Afghanistan.
thence across the Caspian and Black
seas to COnstantinOple and is distributed
over Europe, or stamped out by rigid
sanitary and quarantine measures.
From Europe it seldom fails to visit this
country and its temperance in Italy so
early in the season, after the existence
OF it so generally throughout the Medi-
terranean ports last season, affords strong
presumptiVe ground for expecting that 1t
will visit the United States this year.
Already in Germany, France, Italy
and England sanitary science has
taken the alarm and sounded her
warning notes in most unmistaksble
language. The cry has been caught up
on this side of the ocean and New York
Cincinnati, Chicago, st. Louis, Pitts
burg, Louisville, New Orleans and scores
of other cities are stirring in the matter
Of preparation. San Antonio may well
heed the warning. Our streets and al
lies are in no condition to defy the ap-
preach Of pestilence. Hundreds of pri-
vate yards, vaults, cesspOOls, garbage
heaps, ETC., are in the best possible state
to invite disease, particularly such dis
ease as now threatens, which fourishes
most where uncleanness and foul air
most abound. One Of the wards of this
city has no sanitary inspector of any
kind; all OF them would be the cleaner
for more rigid enforcement OF the re-
qulrements Of the city board of health.
1t is by no means a pleasant task, this
sanitary policing Of the city, but 1t is
necessary and should be done with rigid
exsctness. The very sections OF the city
that most resist and neglect this work OF
sanitation need most closely to be in
speeted. In the very heart of the city,
however, there are vaults and back yards
that, like the offense of Hamlet, "are
rank and smell to heaven" With
the wind setting toward ones no.
bility, the kerohief involuntarily seeks
the nose, and it is a relief when the
plague spot is passed. The authorities
are respectfully reminded that there
is deal Of hard work necessary to be
done In San Antonio in streets, allies
and yards; many vaults and cesspooIs to
be emptied and cleaned; many garbage
heaps and other sources Of vitiatinp
smells to be disinfected before the city
is in proper sanitary condition. Such
sanitary inspection as is necessary to dc
the work thoroughly should be ordered
at once and additional help employed II
the present force is not competent. Sar
Antonio cannot afford to invite disease
of any kind by neglecting to keep her
self clean; much less can she afford to in.
vite the approach Of the dangerous cpl
demic which threatens our shores, and
most seriously threatens where most un
clean.