Wichita eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1886-1890, 1886-12-10

the infection of which, frequently is takel
into the system, by drinking water, contain
mated with the focal discharges from per
son affected with this disease.
The dread scourge smallpox, has occasion
, ally been spread through districts, by emin
ations from focal discharges from the al
fected persons.
The terrible disease Asiatic cholera, tn,
fatality of which perhaps has never beel
equaled and the rapid spread of which ha
been directly traced to eXcreta from tn,
body. The experiments made by the cele
brated DR.. Robert Koch, at the expense O.
the German government, demonstrated
clearly that Asiatic cholera is caused by tbs
growth and reproduction in the body, of in
Vulnerable baccilli, or one celled plants, of &
kind peculiar to this disease, invis
ible to the naked eye; that these
baccilh may enter the body
by the air inhaled; but are far more likely tt
enter, by food or drink taken into the stom
ach, that they are present in the excreta of 6
person sick with cholera, and in his clothing
sOiled thereby, and therefore may be almost
everything that comes in contact with the
body.
! Diphtheria and scarlatina are diseases
| both Of which are contagious, the spread OF
which are only equaled by their virulency
The once happy homes can be numbered by
the score, where these terrible diseases have
entered, soon alUGF tile wall OF broken hearts
have been heard. the mourning for loved
ones that were, but are not: the lullaby OF
many parent has been hushed, and in the
place thereof the low, sad strain Of:
Sleep, baby sleep,
Not in thy little bed
Not in thy mothers arms
But with the silent dead
The infection from both these diseases ere
often communicated by the eXcretionS from
the body of those affected.
To dispose of excreta, and decomposing
organic matter, and thereby prevent infec-
ton, and preserve health is a subject of
vital Importance, to accomplish which vari-
Gus systems have been resOrted to, and none
without merit.
Perhaps the one most common in our state
is the vault system. Either cemented or not,
exterior to houses.
This system may become quite beneficial
where the vaults are cemented and cleansed
frequently during the year, also using disin-
fectants freely. However, should the vault
not be cemented or the cement become
broken it may easily become hidden source
of disease.
Dry earth closets are perhaps a
superior system. Yet on account of the
great amount of dry earth required, will per-
haps never came into general use. 1t has
been estimated that to obtain the best results
it will require about one ton of dry earth
per year for each individual.
| shall also mention the sewerage system
as the one most in use in all of our large
cities, and perhaps the one by far the most
practicable, for by it the eXcreta is imme-
diately removed from the house and all
danger from sewer gas obyiated so long as
it is kept in good repair However, this
system is not entirely without fault. The
sewer ordinarily empties into running
stream, thereby depositing tons of excreta,
to be mingled with the water, the stream
thereby becoming often the cesspool and
well combined.
The sewers of Chicago deposit within the
waters of the lake. and river, over 1000 tons
of human e1creta each twenty-four hours
and a. this rate, the waters of the lake will
soon become polluted for miles from shore
VIII not this become a terrible field of peSti-
lence!
Out of decayins organic matter infinite
disease germs develop water becomes both
the solvent that frees them, and the vehicle
which conveys them.
The pail or tub system is proving to be of
inestimable value in numerous towns and
cities in the eastern states. The process con
sists in the use Of pals or tubs as Q reservoir,
to be gathered by scavengers once or twice
a week and burned IN furnace. This is be-
yend all preadventure the best method where
y
used is one patented by Mr. Engle, of Iowa
and has the endorsement of the most
noted sanitarianS of the states Of
Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois and other
states. This furnace not only cremates
human eXcreta, but filth and garbage of
every description, thereby securing absolute
immunity from Infection by excreta OF all
diseases that are contagious.
1t purifies by fire what has been attempted
by water, earth and the various diSinfect-
ants. No offensive gases OF disease germs
can pass through it without being thor
oughly destroyed.
Then let us hail the process of cremation
as great advance i'll the scisuce of sanitary
reform and heartily endorse it as the best
method Of diSposing of excreta and decaying
organic matter.
Dr.. J. Milton Welch, of Wichita. read a
paper on schools, occupations and habits and
their relations to health. He said that
schools We're popularity considered to be the
place where the young gained information
for use when thrown upon their own re-
sources. He offered the criticisms of Mill
and Spencer on the manner Of conducting
schools. The intellect is frequently dwarfed
and more injured than strengthened. He
sug sested several remedies for the existing
evils in schools.
The convention then adjourned to meet at
90 IL the evening
EVENING SESSION.
DR.. D. ". Stormont, Of Topeka. read
paper on How to make our homes healthy
lie asked the questions: Is life worth hv-
ing: Is health worth saving. y negative
answer would excite universal surprise and
'idicule. but viewing the sickness Of people
generally the logical answer would be in the
The rush aud hurrah of our p4o-
pie shortens life. He stated that the most
mpoTtan. agenies for securing health were
pure air. pure water and wholesome food. +
He discussed each agency separate
Rev. +. ;. McCabe, Of Topeka, had been
assigned the Relation between the phy,i-
ian and clergyman in the call of the side.
,or subject. His paper was one of rare
-alUe and is SIS follows:
PAPER BY REV. F. :. M'CABE, u. p.
Perhaps | may be permitted 70 make the /
statement that for many years 4
nv persona! associations with members Of 4
he medical profession have been intimate.
hat they have been of = character very
pleasant TO me, and that believe that they
lave bsen mutually satisfactory and agree
bile Tie suggestions which may present
N my theme-the relation existing between
he physician and the clergyman II the care
4 the sick. have a. least this recommenda-
ion. that they are made by one who has
My the most friendly feeling toward, the
members OF the medical profession, and one
Who, If he has not been collea-ued and con
with them IN their work Yet has
devoted a large part of his life ID services