Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1889-08-19


thorough study Of the portable waters OF
the state, which 1t 10 the design OF the
Secretary TO engage In somewhat
more thoroughly hereafter. During
the past year snalyses were made OF all
the public water supplies In the State As
tar 40 they are known, Including the
water sapplied by twenty four water
companies, with a service extending TO
twenty seven difYerent cities and villages.
A comprehensive and readily Understood
table presents in condensed form results
of the analyses Of lie samples Of water,
chiefly derived from private sources
Ten or dozen pages Of interesting eI-
plsnatory notes regarding peculiar sam
pies Of water follow the tables.
Reports from local boards Of health
In three hundred and sthirty eight
cities and towns occupy over
eighty pages, in the second divi-
sion OF the volume. There are placed in
alphabetical order, embracing the organi-
xatlon of each, and summary Of its do
ings the past year. These local boards OF
health may be regarded as the conserva-
tors, to . certain extent, Of the rights and
interests Of the public. The prompt re-
moval from our towns and villages Of the
waste products Of our social and domestle
life. thereby presenting the aspect Of
thrift, and the removal Of those conditions
and causes which are productive Of una
voidabls disease and death, are important
items In municipal, state and national
prosperity. A town that is filthy and
unkempt, susceptible to disease from pre-
ventable causes, cannot be regarded as
desirable place for residence or business;
and the work Of these local boards has
been q good one In the direction Of
rendering our towns and eities more
health. and therefore more agreeable as
places for homes and business.
An examination of the subjects treated
ia the third part of the volume shows that
the papers there given relate chiefly to
water supplies, diphtheria, typhoid fever
and infectious diseases. This part opens
with brief paper by Dr. GeorgeC. Burgess
OF Portland, Secretary Of the City Board
Of Health, on the methods of sanitation
in use by the authorities in that city, deal
ing with infectious diseases, inspection Of
nuisance., disposal Of garbage and care Of
private premises. The blank form, pub
lished in connection with DIR. Burgess
article, which Is used by inspectors Of
private premises, seems . thoroughly
suitable one to be adopted and used BY
public health officers in other cities and
towns.
What seems to be very thorough and
quite exhaustive treatise on the Pollution
Of Water Supplies, is next given, paper
Of over twenty pages. This ia in the
form Of report made by special COM
mittcc Of the American Public Health
Association, at the Milwaukee meeting
last year. We are acquainted with nc
treatise which, in the brief compass OF
twenty-five pages contains so able, com
pact and thoroughly scientific treatment
of this subject. 1t is one than which
there il none more vital in the Who'll,
realm of sanitary science. none which hal
So universal an effect upon humanity, ant
none which should be more carefully in
spected and guarded In the interests Of
the public health. This treatise shoult
\ h., ..,,.y..J h, Aha haslth ctyi. ara ~ AVN,
town, and by all towns and cities about t.
introduce public supplies Of water.
A department which the Secretary call
.various Sanitary Topics,'' embrace
about thirty short essays or articles ol
subjects to which the bulk Of the repor
seems to be largely given-infectious an'
contagious diseases, diphtheria, typhoi.
fever and purity OF the water supplies o
towns and families. Other subjects ar
introduced In this department, as on con
sumption, death rate among nurses aud Ii
causes; the bacillus OF typhoid and tuher
culsr consumption. and few other sub
jects which are somewhat more tcchnes
In their nature and therefore Of greater
value, probably, to the profession, than t,
the general public. without particular
specification In the case Of any one topi,
OF the thirty here treated we may say thai
throughout all We and evidence OF tn,
most careful editing and familiarity with
the different subjects. A considerable,
range IL embraced, acme are from foreign
sources. but all adapted to our own con
ditions, and enriched by contribution,
or suggestions from the Secretary. 1t may
BE- too much to say that all are authorsfa
tive In their nature, but it il safe to sfiirn
chat each represents the result Of thu
latest and moat trust worthy studies aud
/ experiences upon their several topics
This department q the report, there
fore, forms quite . little retrospect
Of current information and scientific data
and opinion upon the leading subjects now
engaging the attention Of boards Of health
and sanitary experts. A. such it will be
found extremely valuable to the profes.
sion, 50 well As all intelligent citizens.
Light Gymnastics for Schools" IL the
title Of the next contribution. 1t il from
the pen Of Prof. F. n. Whittier, A. NJ,
n. D.. Director OF the Sargent Gymnasium
n Bowdoin College. The treatise occu-
Pies thirty pages and 10 illustrated by
nineteen ensravings, showing positions Of
the figure during the various exercises.
The cuts are not all equally good, but
most Of them convey correct idea Of the
positions. The movements possess some
degree Of originality; and a. the brief
Treatise is prepared BY one who is
thoroughly acquainted practically and
theoretically with hi. subject, it will
without doubt prove a useful work to
t{achers and pupils alike, and one which
progressive teachers especially will do
wten to study.
We may add that besides being vslau-
be contribution to sanitary science, thi.
rakroff il a POND snex.tv,,er - p<,->s ,-..l:-