Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1891-05-09
SANITARY STATISTICS.
Health Commissioner oysters Re-
port for a Year.
The Record of COntagious Diseases
Vital STATISTICS and OIher In
teIesting Matter.

G. L. Eyster for the past year as sub.
mitted TO the council meeting Monday
evening. includes some very interesting
statistics affording, as they do. crafty
ing showing as to contagious diseases.
81 am pleased. the doctor says. that the
statistics of contagious diseases for the
year, as will be found By reference to the
tables subjoined, show that the extension
and malignant outbreak of diphtheria
which last year caused so much sickness
among. and proved fatal to so many chill
dren in the city, has this year almost en-.
tirely disappeared from our midst, there
only being 46 cases this year compared to
122 last year and six deaths compared to
As last year" The doctor continues:
feel confident that the extended use
of river water and the improved collec-
ton of household refuse and garbage is
largely responsible for this diminished
prevalence of contagious diseases.
No doubt considerable credit should
also be given to a better state of quaran>
tine of affected cases. The people
realize more fully that it is not safe
to expose themselves or others to the
contagion of the disease.
The community. in common with other
portions of the country, has again, dur
ing the last few months, been widely af-
fected by a varying disease of ca
tsrrhal nature collectively known as ia
grippe" have been unable 10 discover
any sanitary or hygienic measures which
organized health bodies could adopt to
modify or prevent the prevalence of this
trouble. Whether the different NANTES
tations of ia grippe" are due to the eli,
matte conditions of the season or TO speci.
fic germs or microbes in the atmosphere
may be mooted question. but, however,
it is answered, the prevention OF attacks
is largely a matter of personal hygiene.
viz; The proper care o; the body in the
matter of clothing, diet. habits and ex>
posure.
WATER.
In my report to the council last year.
l earnestly recommended the use of the
river water as furnished by the city SIS.
TEN of waterworks, and sounded a note
of warning to the citizens of our munich
pality against the use OF well water,
WHICH 81 OCCJllSS con kdIl hlcu DIV
impure matter. see no reas IN to change
this opinion, but on the contrary have
had il more fully established during the
past year. the few cases of typhoid
fever which have occurred in the CITY
during the year, wherever my attention
was called to them, being clearly trace
able to impure well water. Many other
arrangements of health are unauestion>
III
The introduction of the hltering pro-
cess TO the city system of water, the ben
eficent gift of "a generous citizen. l con-
slider much preferable to reservoir, and
t undoubtedly much improves the purity
and portability of the water 1: should
certainly be an added inducement to peo-
pie to abandon the use of wells, whose
water. though 1t may be clear and spark
ling, yet so often carries in its crystal
drops the germs of disease and death.
The further extension of the city water
service as rapidly rs circumstances will
permit, am satisfied will insure to the
benefit of the people.
GARBAGE.
The collection and removal of GARBAGE
from the city during the gear has been of
much improved character. With the To-
cation of the dump boat at a more access,
IDLE point. the two wagons employed by
the city for the purpose were able te
quickly and thoroughly remove the gar
bage as it collected Some vigorous pro
tests were made against the presence of
the dump boat at the foot of West Sew
e1teenth street. but careful investigation
of its condition from time to time would
assure any one of unprejudiced opinion
that no Ill results could arise from its
presence at that point.
For the ensuing year q contract has
been made for the removal of the gar
bage, including the filal disposition.
From pecuniary standpoint think this
will inure to The benefit of the CITY,
but it is highly important that this work
should be closely watched and thorough
ly done.
There is no question in my mind but
tt at this is the most important sanitary
work done by the city, and it seems strange
ii at all citizeus do not more thoroughly
aid the work by having convenient recep-
tscles easily accessible for the removal Of
their slops and garbage. The presence of
decsying slois and garbage about the
premises OF the city is one of the most
constant media for the propagation of
disease, and the sooner this fact is gener-
ally recognized, the better the heal h of
the city will be.
SEWERS.
The most prolific source of complaint
to the department is the privy vault.
During the last year pretty thorough
inspection of the city was made, and quite
q large number OF vaults in bad condition
were discovered and cleaned by the city
scavenger, but undoubtedly many were
missed. The considerable extension of
the sewerage system wiped out of exis-
terce quite number. | have found
quite an extended desire among citizens
of all parts of the city for the construc-
ton of sewers and think that the council
should foster this tendency by aiding and
pushing their extension wherever feast.
BILE. While evils may arise from the ex>
istence OF sewers, they are preferable to