The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-01
SAN rRAscIsco,s WARNING.

The mortnary report of San Francisco,
Cal. for the week ending on Saturday
July 20. shows 12s deaths for the week,
against "a for the same week of last year,
IN increased mortality of nearly 52x per
cent. This In the absence of any epidemic,
and under highly favorable climatic condi-
tons, is truly frightful showing. Very
properly, 1t has excited the attention of
the press and the Board of Health of that
city.
DIR. lie Tourneux, a member of the
Health Board, being interviewed by an Err
ominey reporter, summed up the causes of
this alarming increase in the death rate
quite terscly: "Bad sewerage, bad sanitary
conditions and a fast life." In other
words, the people and the authorities OF
that city, now but in its infancy, compare
lively speaking. are throwing away, and
worse than throwing away, the great sani-
fary advantages with which nature has
most lavishly endowed their locality.
The full significance OF the above figures
cannot be fully appreciated except BY a
process Of multiplication and comparison.
The rate for last year. 81 per week, would
give 4,36S per annum; the rate for this
year, LIS per week. would be 6.656 per
annum. which, estimating the population
In round numbers at SOC. COO. would give as
the annual death rate for last year frac-
ton over IA TO the 1000. and for this year
larger fraction above % to the 1000 inhabi.
tants, difference of more than Z to the
thousand, which of itself equals the annual
death rate OF Vienna, Austria, since the
authorities OF that city perfected their sani-
tary system, though prior to the adoption
OF those wise measures the mortality had
reached nearly 80 TO the l, 600 OF population.
Judging the future by the past, this mat
ter viii receive but paroxysmai attention
in the city by the Golden Gate Those peo-
pie have these spasms of excitement over
this question on an average of once or
twice year. But they are SO impressed
with the health giving and heaIth-restor-
ing properties of their climate, and so in
tent upon money-getting that the subject
soon passes out of mind. and their man.
holes and detective sewage are allowed 10
continue their deadly work of emitting
mephitic gases and breeding pestience.
Herein is Seattle's warning and oppor-
tunity. San Francisco has been so often
threatened and warned, and has so often
ESCAPED that her people and authorities
have become as it were, case-hardened, and
there is little probability that they will
lake proper precautions until some great
calamity shall overtake them. And in any
event every year of growth and neglect
va.tlv increases the difficulties and ea pense
Of reformation.
All the world perceives that Seattle has
entered upon what should be an unpar-
! .ll.Ied career OF prosperity. This city may
~ ana should be a great entrepot of the
srom merce between Europe, the United
.s,,te. and the Orient For supremacy at
that point San Francisco is seattle's only
formidable rival. In shortness of route
end in expanse and excellence of harbor-
- Seattle enjoys advantages which must
sn,atv divert the trade of China and Japan
s-a,,, s.n Francisco. But in no way at
-, .xrense can Seattle add to these ad-
antaees 80 effectively as by steering clear
& these sanitary difficulties which are be-
coming so deeply fastened upon her SOUTH
- y;val More easily and economically
nan anv other city on the continent Seat
- NAV be provided with an absolutely per-
let sanitary system.
The mortuary records Of San Francisco
honld incite Seattle to prompt measures