The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-03
DECArUWs SANITARY CONDITION,
Investigation Made by an Appeal Cor
respondent.

respondent
In speaking or writing OF Decatur care
must be taken not to coniound Old Deca-
tur with New Decatur. The latter place
was not the seat of last years epidemic.
Only three cases were known there and
they were imported from Old Decatur and
did not spread. New Decatur is upon an
excellent sanitary footing. Its houses are
all new and built upon approved sanitary
principles. Twenty-six miles Of sewers
underlie its streets, only awaiting the COM
plction OF water-works (now in course OF
construction) to be in perfect operation.
Pending the construction Of these works
system OF earth closets is in use and ex-
creta is promptly removed. In fact,
question II there is anywhere in the State
OF Alabama town better equipped 10 re-
sist the attacks of any disease than New
Decatur. An infectious disease once in
troduced would not be likely TO spread in
view OF the wide area of territory covered
by the town (nearly four miles, and the
liberal distance between its manufacturing
buildings and residences But upon this
point there is expert authority. lmmedi-
ately after the epidemic last fall, George
l.. Waring was employed by Mr.. Breck
Jones, general manager OF the Decatur
Land and Improvement Company, TO
make report upon the sanitary condition
OF the two towns. lie completed his report
December IS, 1888, and tits elsewhere sub
mitted 10 full:
WHAT HAS BEEN LEFT UYDoNE.
On Wednesday, February 90 1889,
visited Old Decatur 10 see what had been
done in the way OF distinction and sani.
tary improvement. ] regret TO say that
found !...!c .hs; was favorable. Old Dc
catur has no drainage whatever, surface or
otherwise, and deposits OF rainwater in a
majority OF cases lie where they fall until
absorbed by the soil or gathered up by
evaporation. The privics are usually on
the surface OF the soil aud the fecal depos-
its remain there subject to the washings
OF every rain. Some houses are provided
with pits for privy purposes. One such
place that | saw is within forty feet OF a
well used by the people next door for
drinking water IL Is said that there were
five cases Of typhoid fever in that house
Just before the epidemic, one OF which
terminated fatally Small wonder.
The people OF Old Decatur are thor
oughly alive 10 the necessity OF making
immediate improvements in sanitary con-
ditions, and in addition 10 approprinung
$50, 900 for sewers have ordered the filling
up Of pits used for cxcrcial deposits and
the substitution in their stead OF earth
closets. The surface privies are also 10 be
discontinued, but up 10 the date when left
there no active steps had been taken TO
carry these measures into imme-
date operation. The corporation
seems 10 suffer from lack OF funds and a
Limitation OF the taxing power, making the
amount OF revenue inadequate to the needs
OF a growing city. II there Is anything at
all in the theory that filth Is factor ia
the fever problem the outlook ut Old De-
catur is not encouraging, but, as will APP
pear further ON, DR.. Cochran says filth
'has nothing TO 10 with the case, tra-la "
| sincerely hope he may DO right about 1t.
DistNFEcrioS MEASURES.
There were something like 100 cases oI
fever in Old Decatur, thirty-iiye Of which
proved fatal.
was able after careful investigation to
discover more than one instance where
bedding had been destroyed In the case Of
a patient who had recovered, and Ia two
cees where the patients died | found the
bedding still In use. One Of these in
iccled beds Is IN the houseof Mrs. Killian,
who keeps the Brooklyn House, on Oak
street Her husband did, and the bed il
still la use, but had been thoroughly aired
and sun dried, as had also the entire
house, which Is model OF clean
illness. Among the negroes ] found
there had been crude efforts NJ
disiniection by exposing houses aud bod
ding 10 the fumes Of burning sulphur.
Some Of the infected bedding and clothing
has been moved In other cities. A colored
man named Jim Sweciner had the fever
In Charlotte Swopc's house on Oak street
Ills wife also had IL. They both left
Decatur, infected clothing and all, and
are said 10 be In Birmingham, Ala.
There was n death In the hut OF Andy
Orr on Oak street No iumigaiion.
lIon Ambrose lcolorcd) had yellow fever.
sold his bed 10 Moses Leyall lcoloredl
| No disinlcction.
Henry White lcolorel) ned from the
fever leaving his bedding behind.
young man took care OF his hous, aud had
yellow fever on his bed. After the fever
White moved, Il IL said, 10 Scottsboro
Ala, carrying his Injected bedding with
him.
MB. Thompson, who keeps a restaurant
on Canal street, rcfugvcd TO other places
leaving four beds behind her, aitcrward
occupied by yellow lever patients. When
she returned she found her bedding gone
DR.. Cook bad fever aud recovered. Rc
moved 10 Louisville. Bedding not de-
stroyed.
Will Jones (colored) died Of fever. Ills
bed was hauled of In the garbage cart by
order OF his landlord.
These cases might bc multiplied, but II
view OF the fact that the people OF Old De
catur themselves admit. by attaching thci
signatures 10 the petition presented above
that there has been comparatively no dis
infection, makes Il needless 10 cite iurtho
| cusoa