The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1892-09-21
A Plea for the Better Sanitation of
Our Town.

Correspondence OF the Durham sun
Mr.. EDIToR:-In view of the fact
that Asiatic cholera has made its ap.
pearance in the city of New York, it
occurs to me that it is a most oppor-
tune time for the better sanitation Of
our town. The various boards of
health have been unusually active in
the city of New York and other large
cities of this country, in order, if
possible, TO prevent an epidemic OF
this dreadfuily fatal disease.
Why should not the Health Board
of Durham bestir itself to improve
the sanitary condition of this townl
For surely this Board cannot content
itself with the belief that Durham
does not need a vast deal Of attention
in this direction. Nor can it be Ger
tain that cholera will not attack Dur
ham, though it be an inland town
and some distance removed from the
sea coast.
Mr.. Editor, so far as / can learn
from studying the history of cholera,
it is not absolutely decided that its
ravages are confined TO seaport towns,
but that it invades all sections Of the
country. Since the outbreak Of this
dreadful disease in Europe, New
York has established a most rigorous
quarantine. but yet there has been
| several sporadic cases OF cholera in
| that CITY. DR.. Jenkins, the chief
health officer Of New York, states
that these cases, or at least some oil
them, have developed in that city
without any communication with the
cholera infected districts of Europe.
And, furthermore, the censuses Oi
opinion il that cholera is not q con
tagiOus disease, but an infectious
one, viz, il is not transferred from
one to another by personal contact,
but that the same atmospheric con-
diti0us that would produce il in one
would produce il in another, even il
there be no personal contact. St
that filthy surroundings, unwhole
some food and drink and oyercrowd
Ing would develop a case Of cholera
without the element Of cOntagi0n be-
ing necessary. Hence Drs. COndi,
and Bell, Of Philadelphia, in theii
History and Treatment oil Epidemic
Cholera" have gone 50 far as 10 say
that quarantine is of no earthly ad.
vantage m preventing the spread o
cholera, and the only way 10 checI
il course is through personal and
municipal cleanliness.
| Now, Mr. Editor, il Durham clean
How many hog pens and other nuts
ances are at this very moment poi
s0ning the atmosphere with theil
filthy elninatiOnsg Are the citizens
Of the town. the health officers ans
sanitary policeman a. yigilant anG
active as they should BE- in thes.
times when the plague Is abroad II
the land Durham, il is true, haI
been peculiarly fortunate In escaping
epidemics Of all KINDS, but SHOULD
this foct alone justify the neglect ant
the wilIful disregard Of the most i'm
pOrtant teachings Of medical sgienct
as regards tho prevention VI epidemi'
diseases.
As a precautionary measure ] WOull
suggest that every species Of filth b
. removed from our streets, alleys arId
. private premises, and that lime AM
cUpperas water be freely used on al
. deeaying organic matter.
Now, Nr. Editor, one word ~ 3
our water supply. IL appears 10 m
that catfish and terrapins alone cal
appreciate this reservoir water. Ger
} tafnly human stymacbs cannot, 70
is color would suggest that there !,
> little water and myre mud, and th
Lord knows what else. Do not un
, derstand me 10 make any complain
. against the water company, for | TAX
ID under The circumstances they ar
|. doing their best to furnish whole
some water, but from it, appearance
!, can il be healthy for drinking pur
| p0sesi
! To those persons whom neccssit.