Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-10-30
Friday Evening, Oct. S1st.
To be addressed by Hon. D, D
Donovan, c. F. Clement
and Others.
TURN OUT!
Epidemics.

We have had an epidemic of scarlet fever
during the month, fortunately no others.
There has also been three cases of membran-
ous Group with three deaths. Although the
latter disease has not been classed among the
filth" diseases, it is half brother to diph-
liberia which is clearly "filth" disease. The
conditions are favorable for the production of
diphtheria and also typhoid fever. Has any
thing been done to protect our people from
these scourges. All the zymotic or filth dis
eases are classed among them that are avoid
able and can be prevented. How? Hippo
crates, the father of medicine, who lived 1000
years ago said: "That pure soil, pure water
and pure air are the prime requisites of
health" More was never embodied in the
same number of words by mortal man. They
are sanitary science in nutshell. 1t is
clearly to be seen that if you put all the filth
that occurs from the existence of several
thousand men and animals in a limited space,
into and upon the ground as is done in most
towns, you at once destroy all possibility of
either of the old sage's time requisites. 1t is
evident that pure water cannot be found in a
contaminated soil. AS the air circulates free
ly under ground, as far down as the surface
of the ground water. il must of necessity be-
come tainted by contact with decaying ami
NAL and vegetable matter, deposited in the
soil. You may aatter yourself that because
your house is perfect in all its appointments,
that you are in no danger from foul air You
perhaps have cellar under your house, as clean
as a parlor. Thatbe true and ought to be, but
that cellar is dug in the ground several feet
below the surface. Now what hinders the air
that always circulates freely in the ground
from penetrating the cellar. Well You say
don't live in the cellar, nor spend much time,
it therefore cannot hurt me. Let US see
whether that is true. You live over the cellar,
and during the cold season your house IL shut
up tightly to keep out the cold air and fires
are built to warm the rooms. Every inteili-
gent person knows that when air is warmed
itexpands and ascends. If it cannot ascend it
soon becomes filed with the deadly carbon
dioxide, commonly known as carbonic acid
gas which will certainly cause death when
enough accumulates. When the warm air as
cends, other air will take its place. A large
portion of this new air ascends from the cell
lar and you get the full benefit of all the filth
that you and others have placed in the ground
perhaps for generations past. Perhaps you
do not believe this. Shut your fire and clean
house and cellar for a few days in hot wealth
er, then open it, and explain, whore that close
foul smell comes from. Whether .you be-
lieve it or not, it does come from the cellar
and ground under your house.
We will suppose that you have carefully
removed every pound of decaying matter
from the surface and from beneath the sur
face throughout your residence lot. You
think you have then abundance of "pure soil,
pure water and pure air." and can snap your
fingers at zymotic diseases. Let us look over
the fence into your neighbors lot. There
you discover lot of swine fattening in pen,
also large number of chickens and other
fowls running at large. Perhaps there are
one or two cows, and as many horses. The lot
is covered with rotting straw mixed with the
droppings of these animals. The out houses
and cesspools are mere holes in the ground
and filed to outpouring. The manure from
most impossible. You ask your neighbor to
clean up his premises and remarks that it
will be as much for his benefit as yours. He
at once takes exceptions at whathe calls med
ding with what is none of your business
and tells you that his surroundings suit him,
and that If you do not like the looks of his
premises you need not take the trouble to look
over the fence, and if you do not like the
smells that arise thence, you can shut up your
house and keep them out or 60 elsewhere to
live. Now what has become of the pure soil,
air and water you 30 much desire. You know
that the State has provided rigid system of
sanitary laws, and that all towns like ours are
required to have board of health, also that
onr council have passed an ordinance in ac-
cordance with the Statutes Of the State which
has the reputation of being one of the best
sanitary ordinances in the State and that
there has been appointed according to law a
board of health and health officer, who are
presumed to be we'll informed on the subject
Of sanitary science, and who are sworn TO
execute the laws. You say now | will compel
my filthy neighbors to clean up his premises.
Well try it. CITIZEN.