Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-16
IN coon SANITARY CONDITION.
The Health ofncer says That the Di.trics
Need Not Fear Cholera


The Health Ofnccr says That the District
Need Not Pear Cholera.
doctor" remarked a reporter OF TEE sr.s
this morring to Health ohaccr Hsnsuett. TUX
star. which means the people Of the District,
wishes TO know what your department ha.
done, is doing and will do 30 place the District
in such q condition TO successfully overcome
the cholera should the disease make its appear
ance here"
The STaR's inquiry" replied Dr. Hammett,
''oan best be answered by this statement. the
health ono. has done. is now dong and will do
everything in lite power"
That" suggested the reporter, ''is rather
too indefinite, doctor"
We'll. " said the health officer. Eve have been
working almost day and night 60 clean the city,
and we viii not relax our efforts for a moment
We have made a special effort In regard 90 the
slleys Of the city, aud have Instantly reported
TO the District Commissioners al places found
TO be unclean. Among others. those reported
by rRE STAR two weeks ago"
Have they been cleaned?" asked tho re-
porter.
Il imagine So" WINS the reply
But, persisted the reporter, do YOU know
whether they have or have notS"
wRAI M THINKS HAS BERN DONE
Some I do know have been cleaned" an
swered Dr. Hammett. "but cannot answer as
to all. But this can say, every unclean place
discovered has been reported 20 this Office bv
our Inspectors, and we have at once reported
the facts 20 the District Commissioners
for their action There L. one thing
which would like the people 60 understand
IL IL this; The health Office has no means with
which 10 make clean the unclean streets and
sn.ys. We can merely report their condition
TO the proper authorities"
do you mean. doctor" inquired the re-
porter, that you have no means with which to
fumisate foul places?''
No; not that. mean" explained Dr. Ham,
nett, that we cannot clean flthy allevs for in
stance. But where this Office discovers The need
OF fumlgation IL IL at once done. The removal
Of filth, however. belongs TO the street cleaning
department, and have reason 10 believe that
they promptly and thoroughly act upon our re-
ports"
Then you believe the city 10 be compars-
lively clean?' remarked the reporter
II do, was the prompt relsy. "As clean as
constant inspection can make IL"
I'm such sanitary condition a. 60 be allie 70
successfully withstand an invasion OF cholernY'
continued the reporter.
NO MED TO FEAR CHOLERA
''ies, sir. ;" confidently answered the health
officer. The people here should have no fear
Of a cholera epidemic. First. because of In.
good sanitary condition Of the city and second
because We are TODAY a thousand times b tier IRE,
pared 90 nghtthe disease than We were years AGO
Why. even In 1882. when this country suffered
the most from the disease, cholera did not
spread TO any great extent Everyone know.
IN what a wretchea condition sanitary arrange
ments were IN those DAYS IL IL did not SPREAD
to a great extent then. when all the conditions
were favorable, IL surely could not now.
Then. again." continued the doctor. s.chol-
era Is "A - contagious disease. and il does not
prosper In this climate at any time Of the wear
so. YOU see, the disease IL really at a great dis
advantage here. About the only things 20 be
done is TO keep cool aud keep clean.
should case Of cholera be discovered here.
doctor. asked the reporter, would you do as
the health authorities did in New York. with
hold the news from the public2"
F CASE SHOULD BE FOUND.
mo, sir, was the very emphatic
reply. 'shoulda case be discovered
here il would be at once reported 20
this Office and by us would be In
wise would, think, be both unwise and unjust
TO our people. So you can say that should we be
80 unfortunate a. TO have a case here the people
would be informed Of IL the moment the office
heard Of it."
what course would you pursue should q
case be discovered here?" asked the reporter.
The patient would be at once removed 70
the contagious hospital near the jail" replied
the doctor. .'all bedding and clothing burned
and the house Of the sufferer thoroughly fumi-
gated. Then that house would be
closely quarantined, no person being
allowed to enter or depart from Il until
all danger had passed. You can say that the
contagious hospital is about completed and one
OF the two hospital rooms. a by "a, win lie
equipped today and the other tomorrow or next
day. But believe we will have no use for L."