Evening capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1888-1893, 1890-01-09
EPIDEMIC DISEASES.
Precautions to Be Adopted to
Prevent Their Spread.


An important memorandum on the pro-
ceedinps which are advisable in places at
tackled or threatened with epidemic disease,
which has been drawn up by DIR. George
buchanan, F. r. s., has been issued to sani-
tary authorities by the Local Government
Board In this memorandum, says the
London Times, it is stated that whenever
there is prevalence or threatening OF chol-
era. diphtheria, fever or any other epidemic
disease, it IS of more than common impor-
tance that the statutory powers conferred
upon sanitary authorities for the protection
of the public health should be well exer-
cised by those authorities acting with the
advice of their medical officers OF health.
Proper precautions are equally requisite
for ali classes of society. But. 1t Is chiefly
with regard to the poorer population, there
fore chiefly in the courts and alleys OF
towns, and at the laborers' cottages Of
country districts, that local authorities are
called upon to exercise vigilance and to
proffer information and advice. Common
lodging houses and houses which are sub
let in several small holdings always require
particular attention.
Wherever there is accumulation, stink or
soakage of house refuse or Of other decay
ing animal or vegetable matter, the nui-
sance should as promptly as possible be
abated, and precautlon should be taken not
to let it recur. Especially examination
should be made as to the efficient working
of sewers and drains, and any defect there
in and any nuisance therefrom or from any
foul bitches or ponds should be got rid Of
without delay. The ventilation Of sewers,
the ventilation and trapping of house drains
and the disconnection of cistern overfiows
and sink pipes from drains should be care
fully seen to-. The scavenging Of the district
and the state of receptacles for excrement
and of dust-bins will require close attention.
In slaughter houses, and wherever animals
are kept, strict cleanliness should be en-
forced
In the removal, of filth. during periods o5
epidemic disease Wis commonly necessary
TO employ chemicaf agents for reducing or
removing the offerse and harm which may
be involved in the disturbance of the filth.
In the removal of privy contents these
agents are more particularly wanted il the
disease in question be cholera or enteric
fever The chemical agent should be used
literally over all exposed surfaces from
which filth has been removed Unpaved
earth close to dwellings, if it be sodden with
Stops or filth, ought to be- treated in the
same way.
sources OF water supply should be well
examined. Water from sources which can
DC IN any way tainted by animal or vegeta-
Die refuse, especially those into which there
may De any leakage or filtration from sew
ersi drains, cesspools, or foul bitches ought
no longer to be drunk. Above all, where
inc dlsease Is cholera, diarrhea, or enteric
ieVer' IL Is essential that no impure water
be drunk.
Inc liability OF leaky pipes to act as land
lralns and to receive foul matters as well
IS land drainage through their leaks is not
70 DO overlooked. And such leaky pipes,
running 1ull OF water with considerable We
ocity' are liable to receive, by lateral in.
suction at their points Of leakage, external
matters That may be dangerous. This lat
'er Iact Is not recognized so generally as il
should DC, and Ignorance of it has probably
'aileu many inquiries in cases where water
services have in truth been the means of
disease.
II, unfortunately, the only water which
OF . time can be got should be open to sus-
'iclon OF dangerous organic impurIty, it
'uS9t al least to be boiled before it is used
Vi (, utinklng, out then not to be drank later
uau s"enty-Ionr hours after it has been
'oaeu fI.erlng OF the ordinary kind can
W w i.sell De trusted to purify water. It
lI noV oe 100 distinctly understood that
anserous qualities Of water are not obyi-
~ u, oy the addition of wine or spirits.
y non llere appears any probable relation
'.', o."oeh lhe distribution of disease and milk
uppnes, the cleanliness of dairies, the
: S..'y ~ VI the water used in them, the health
'lo persons employed about them. and
,.lIs ue"i'ii OF the cows that furnish milk
u ',,oD Always De carefully investigated
o,sa aparI from any apprehension Of milk
ing Concerned In particular outbreak of
ho,',s !. Is desirable that English people
IVulu ~ ADOPT the custom, which is ALWAYS
oiV"eu oi9 IN some continental countries. OF
oilng all milk at once upon it's reception
Ito house. ieooP'io"
.ne washing and lime-whitine of unclean.
premises, especially of such as are denseIv
,Seupied' ,S should be pressed with ali nracti.
ible dispatch. WIN al pr@ouF
,c;oIi,. should be prevented. Es-
,or, S ~ mnere disease has begun, the sick
om ,,o,'Si as Tar as possible, he free
ent no' oi use 70 the pa
'o,,I5 ventilation should be inforced IL
o.. Oe seen tnat the windows are made
ened Fa anu that they are sufficiently
ctive fcTdS fcialy where any kind Of in
M for na,;a nas oegun, it is essential,
out them ,hos ana Tor persons who are
ny ny tuell, that the sick room and the sick
fresh air. efsed oy streams
ioineS pes domestic habits should be
removed Or a. das matters should be speed
We to be iroyed; and things which
Ways be disinsatea diieotea or cleansed should
lay. or cleansed without
cotton ars SsTau.lons sssa Of cleanliness and dis