The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-02-15
DIR. THORNTOYS REPORT

DIX. IHORNION'S REPORT.
DIR. Thornton, who for ten years has
been President OF the Board OF Health,
made his last annual report yesterday and
declined a reelection. The report is very
full and fairly covers all the operations OF
the Board for the year 1888. The Doctor
reviews in candid spirit the non-inter-
course and quarantine operations Of last
summer, time OF great anxiety and
warns his fellow citizens that Gin periods
Of threatened danger our safety should
rest in our superior sanitary condition
and the efficiency Of our health service"
And he is right Clean people have not
half so much TO fear from epidemic
disease rs those who live amid filth,
and thus literally stand in the way
10 arrest the disease germs that may
be floating in the atmosphere or may be
brought TO them by passing travellers To
keep Memphis clean, as clean rs she ought
to be safely to defy epidemic diseases, the
garbage service should not be interrupted
for nm hour. II should be continuous aud
rs adequate as the needs Of growing pop
ulation. But this, unfortunately is not
the case. The Doctor admits that It's not.
lie says; "rhe frequent complaints by
citizens in every part Of the city the year
round Of this service that the ashes and
house water is not moved from their prem
ises as promptly as should be, is not with
out foundation, but the fault is not with
the service, nor any one connected with IT,.
This part OF the service consists of fourteen
carts, with their outfit, and is kept con-
stantly at work, but owing TO frequent
Interruptions for street cleaning as an
economical measure TO save the expense
Of other carts for this purpose, the
efficiency Of the garbage service is inn
paired. Much time is consumed in NOV
ING dirt from paved streets and hauling
brckbats and other debris Of like charac.
ter to I'LL holes In dirt streets, etc. Street
cleaning Is an essential part in local sani.
tation, but for every load OF dirt hauled
from the streets by these carts, load Of
garbage is left in the city to be moved
when opportunity offers. This service
being organized and maintained for spe-
ciiic duty, and one that isabsolutcly essen.
tial 10 cleanliness, should not be- required
TO do other work. will therefore repeat
a recommendation Of several preceding re.
reports TO organize a separate street
cleaning and repairing force. II
necessary, or desirable, this force
can be put under the direction Of the
health officer and make part Of the gar
bagc service, or put in the engineer de-
partmcnt and cooperative with the health
department 1t is immaiorial, except for
convenience Of administration, who does
this work, provided II Is done. Nlcmphi.
should not have even the appearance Of a
neglected sanitary duty at any season OF
the year. and the prompt disposal Of all
house and street waste where il will never
be offensive In auy way, Is one u the first
sanitary duties" These are sound aud
sensible words, full OF warning. They are
words that ought TO have the instant
effect ON the members Of the Lcgis.
hiuro Ia induce them TO amend the budget
no rs 20 provide q street cleaning depart.
mcnt that will DO efficient and suit dcnt
Tor that purpose and not trench upon the
garbage service, which Il Is only truth to
say has never been wholly adequate 10
the demands Of cur population. The
doctor, besides this plain talk ~ 10 the
garbage service, also reminds the Taxing
District Council that Il has done nothing
yet Tor the improvement Of Bayou
Gayoso and H. branches and that the
appointment OF sanitary expert Tor
the inspection Of meats and all TODD ami.
mails designed Tor the market is an cs.
scnlial In the maintenance Of the public
health. Dr. Thornton In this report has
done good service aud thus closes his
career as President Of the Board OF
lleallh with as much energy. Judgment.
tact and skill rs be- manifested at any time
In his official life. Ills charge o. la the
value Of continuous CLEANLINESS, Is timely
and Il ought, and W. trust will. have some
weight With the authorities who have
hitherto disrrlrlcd his protests aud warn.
inss as to mi5dirccling the garbage force
aud equipment
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