The Emporia weekly news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1881-1889, 1888-12-13

households, and then to filter through
our soil or drain away through our
The sanitary formula, en- unciated
by Hypocrates, more than 2.000 years
age was. Pure air, pure water and
pure soil.''
In the ages that have since then come
and gone, what worlds Of pestilential
ravages might have been sayedtO man
kind had a proper observance OF this
prescription been maintained?
We are not profting by the exper-
fence of the past; on the other hand,
we are begetting foul air, impure
water and filthy soil the elements
| in which PROPAGATE the organisms of
diseases, in which the germs of
typhoid, and dysentery. when they
once enter, indefinitely multiply-the
favorite haunts of the bacteria of con-
pneumonia in short. probably of all
acute diseases.
When General Butler occupied the
city of New Orlean, he was threatened
by a more deadly foe than the rebel
forces which ne had subdued. The
yellow fever had made its appearance
below the city, and his soldiers were
unacclimated. The inhabitants OF the
conquered city were confident that an
destroy the victorious Union troops,
and the Union troops trembled in dread
of the assault.
Ten years before in this city, in the
single month of August, 5, I'D people
died from the yellow fever, and from
all diseases z, 200.
How to save bis army from this de-
structiye malady was momentous
problem. In an article in recent
number OF the North American Re-
view, General Butler describes in
most interesting manner the methods
which he adopted for the prevention
of this dreadful disease. Eleven hun
bred men were employed to clean out
the streets, Ito dig out and scrape out
all organic filth. !" 1.-The bitches were
hoed out and swept over and brushed
out" The foul places we're flushed
and the operations were repeated,
IAN order was issued requiring every
household to clean up its areas and
| back yards to the acceptance OF an in
spector detailed from headquarters,
and once in ten days the yards were
| inspected and the most careful and
stringent efforts were made to see that
nothing of human or animal eXcre-
mentiJiouS matter should exist In the
city, except under such circumstances
as would make it harmless" People
were forbidden to throw organic wastes
in the streets, alleys or open courts
OF course quarantine was
established to prevent the entrance OF
cases of fever, but Notwithstanding
this precaution, one man with the dis
ease was admitted into the city and
died there. But no new cases devel-
oped, and General Butler says that
during his occupation of this city he
was able to report a less mortality than
existed in any other city of like popula'
tion in the United States.
have endeaVOred to present, as vel
as could in as brief paper as this
intended to be, the condition or oul
drainage and sewerage, and, from 1
sanitary view, the dangers that threat
en- us. 1 have likewise indicated the
benefits which arise from sanitary reg
ulations.
have endeavored to show that oul
city is naturally healthy.
If we are actuated by wisdom W.
will undoubtedly remove these dan
gers. We will empty the vaults and
cesspools, disinfect them and fill then
with pure earth. We will cease depos
iting our liquid wastes in CUTTERS, drains
, and alleys and will make proper dispo
J sitiOn of all eXcrementitiOus matter
But how shall we be able to do this
} There is only one practical method
and that is by an efficient sewerage
system.
We have, as l said before, turned thu
waters of the Neosho into our city. Al
we need is to let this water pass II
pipes to the Cottonwood. and thus be
come the carriage of all these wastes
The idea that sewage, in its dis
charge from its conduit, IS abominably
offensive, is erroneous. In an efficient
system of sewerage the sewage is car
ried rapidly and completely through
the pipes and discharged before de
composition takes place. 1t is not Hk'
the contents of priyy vault or cess
, pool, but, mingled with an abundance
of water, its presence III the Cotton
wood would scarcely be discernibIe.
The estimated cost of a system Of
sewerage, as estimated by Col. War
ring in 1881, to the city council was,
believe, ST. 900, and S27 600 for 81
much of the system as would apply Il
Commercial street and two streets cas-
and two west of it. Probably it would
require $50, 900 to sewer the entire city
Can we afford it?
The interest on this amount at pc
cent is $4,000. Typhoid fever is en-
demic in OR city. Every physician vii
testify to this. There are scores o
: cases annually. l will undertake t
say that the expenses of this one dis
|
: ira labor, loss of time, wages, ETC., vii
amount to sum equal to 81 800
Of course with sewerage we Will still
prsbably, have typhoid fever, but mucl
of it would be prevented. And HOY
much other disease would be prevented
How many lives might be saved? VIII
can estimate the saving of lives ant
health and money by an Efficient sys
: tenn of sewerage?
There are other methods of dispOsin
of sewage, but, with the abundanc
4 of our water supply, this is undOubted
ly the most practicable; and should tn
discharge of sewage into the Cotton
? wood become Objectionable, we ma
! still, without disturbing our system
have an outlet by sub-irrigation.
Such a system of sewerage, with tn
5 addition of rigid regulations for tn
Z removal of garbage, would place on
L city in the best possible sanitary COL
dition.
4 In addition to health, il would adj
:, comfort and convenience to our homes
to our business houses and our publ
: institutions. 1t would increase the rev
. enue of our water works and max
3 them self-supporting 1t would adj
value to our property and increase on
: prosperity.
9 In our business we have been eneI
4
tiful and prosperous city. We hav
comfortable and costly residences
heavy banks, fine hotels; We have ele
giant churches, school houses and co
}. leges, -and commodious and eXpensiv
q opera houses; we have a pull
ic library; we have daily pa
:, pers; we have railroads and tel
egraph lines converging to us froI
every direction; we have gas, electri
light, telephones, street railways an
;, water works; we have innumerable OF
CARNATIONS for the pleasure and benz
: tit and protection of our citizens, soci
n ally, morally, intellectually, commeI
cailly and professionally short, "
e seem to have provided for everything
q ssve only cleanliness and healthfu
0 ness.
d For them we have had no time; fl
9 them we have had no money
t How long shall we be Indifferent
d our sanitary needs?
When our people shall realize the in
Of hnv mi