The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-08-13
THE STATES HEALTH.
Remarks UPON Cholera Infanium and
the Asiatic ScOurge.


In his report for July Secretary Tyrrell
Of the State Board of health says:
Mortality reports received from 1O4 cities and
towns throughout the State, containing au estl-
mated population of S5O,440, give the number of
deCedents as 1892, which is a monthly percent
age OF ] 30 per thousand, or an annual mortality
Of 1896, which IS au Increased death rate over
that OF last month. This may In great measure
be attributed to the increased mort ality from
stomach and bowel disorders, especially cholera
infantum among children. We iud that The in
creased temperature during the month was a
prominent factor in lie causatiOn Of these dis
eases aud no doubt contributed greatly TO their
fatality.
Referring to Asiatic cholera the report
states:
This dread disease shows no sign OF abatement
In Spain; on the contrary, Is spreading rapidly
through the provinces. We are, however, more
concerned nearer home, the disease having made
It's apl edrance IN Japan, to which we are closely
allied by commerce and Individual intercourse.
The disease having been so clearly proven to bs
cOntagiOu: through e&creiions from the infected
body, the utmost vigilance viii have to be exeT.
cised 10 prevent The transportation of these
poison germs 10 our shores. But suppose all
vigilance falls and cholera suddenly appears In
our midst. Tie question that should present
itself to every community IN the State at this
moment Is: Are we prepared to reuel the In
vader; are our cities towns, hamlets aud indi-
yldual premises In such stale of order and
cleanliness that disease can find no accumulated
filth IN which to 1Dcubate It's gems? II they
are, we have nothing 10 fear, as 1t las been
stated by good authority that The cholera germ
is innucuous when IL leaves the human organism
and that II requires another medium outside of
man to mature and complete its Inlectye prop
cities. That medium is soil moist and satu-
rated with impurities. II this assertion is true
1t necessarily follows that the most complete
safeguards against the spread OF cholera al
clean soil, unIainted air and pure water, The
hrst may be attaiued by proper drainage, re-
moval OF Superintendent filth, garbage ali ac-
foundations OF dirt within, or near our dwelling.
places. Health boards and health officers should
now be more vigilaut Than ever aud enforce
with all the power the law gives them, the proper
cleansing OF the districts under their charge
They are the officers accountable TO The people
FOR The preservation OF their lives when threat
ened by disease; their responsibility Is great,
aud their remuneration should be adequate We
know that cholera cannot exist or extend when
the means OF It's existence are destroyed. To do
this is tile work OF local boards of health and
health officers. No favOritsm OF dislike TO pros
ecue Offenders In the enforcement OF the prOvs-
ions OF the law should for moment influence
The health authorities when great danger like
the present Dlenaces the community. 1t can be
aVerted by every sanitary board and every SAM
tary ofhcer doing their whole duty conscienti-
ously, without fear or favor; whereas, putting
OH 10 more convenient season that which
should be done to-day, may be followed by an
epidemic OF one OF the most fatal of Diseases the
end iof which no man can foretell or its results
fuTpsee