San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1890-01-10
A TIMELY WARNING.

La grippe per Sc is not an alarming
malady. 1t is unpleasant, decidedly
uncomfortable and wherever there i!
4 a tendency to organic weakness il
any part of the system may terminate
fatally unless great care is exercised
and all relapse prevented. The real
ly alarming thing connected with its
advent is the probability that it is the
precursor of some epidemic more
fatal. This opinion is growing into
very general acceptance among the
leading English and Continental
physicians. Very careful and ex'
tended observation of the disease has
led these physicians to the conclusion
that this epidemic is much more than
an ordinary Influenza or an infectious
cold, and they incline to regard it
either as a survival of something
akin to the mysterious plaques which
afflicted Europe few centuries ago,
or perhaps a phase of the chol-
era epidemic now decimating Persia.
Certain it is that the medical science
of the old world has ceased to sneer
at the idea that the epidemic is a
precursor of cholera. 1t has been
esp ecially noted as having special af-
fin tiles for both abdominal and blood
diseases, and in some opinions car
ries with it the germ of such diseases.
so grave an authority as the London
Lancet discusses the probability gifts
invading Europe, as cholera, by way
of the Caspian and warns the people
to prepare for its coming. True it is
that cholera Is making terrible raw
ages in western Asia and is rapidly
approaching the borders of eastern
Europe. Refugees are flying toward
the Caucasus and Russia Seems
doomed to invasion. II the alarming
rapidity with which this Russian
influenza has spread be any index of
the manner in whichthe' cholera..visita-
ton shall disseminate itself the pros
pect is more alarming for Europe than
the epidemic of five years ago.
Whatever may or may not result to
us in the United States and in Texas
it is the part of wisdom for us to take |
all possible precautions. This unusu-
ally warm winter has in an unusual |
degree prepared the way for disease, |
and an unhealthy summer season is |
looked forward to with no little APP
prehensiOn. Under the most favor.
able circumstances we can hardly eX-
pect to escape sickly season and |
should an epidemic, as cholera, break !
out here i'll the present unhealthy
condition of this city the mortality
you'd be frightful. There is work
afore the board of health and the
sanitary inspectors of this city of no
ordinary Importance. The reeking
odors arising from the emptying OF
kitchen Stops and refuse in back yards
and in some instances i'll the streets
should be stopped by liberal use of
and cess pools dug in 20
which such Stops could be poured to
be deodorized by contact with the
earth and disinfectants. Garbage
barrels reeking with filth and putri d
and flesh should be take n
in from the sidewalks after being
and disinfected, instead of
on the public walks, an
eyesore and nuinance from day to
day. The streets in the more pOpu-
lous parts or the city should be
cleaned at least twice week and
Commerce and Houston and Soledad
between the plazas and the plaZas
should be cleaned every
day. A careful inspection and vigil
ant supervision of the whole city
oy the sanitary officers is demanded.
Every day these officers see filth
lnder their noses which will certainly
breed pestilence, and violation of
the ordinances regulating garbage
barrels. vaults, Stops and back yard
which calls for immediate interpOsi-
ion of authority. 1t can do no harm
20 put this city in the best possible
sanitary condition, and to do it now;
t may save much sickness and many
ives.
AMONG the many good and kindly
Kings said by the press Of the state