The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-09-16
TO KEEP OFF CHOLERA.
What is Going on in the Way of
Improving the City's Condition
TO REPEL A VISIT OF THE SOURCE.
Tho People seem to be Alive TO the
Importance of Cleanliness and a
Good Sanitary Conditioned sug-
gostIon Meeting of the City Health
Board last Evening.

Wheeling is in very good condition at
present to give cholera a black eye,
should that dread disease attempt to
invade its precincts. As good as the
healthtul conditions are at present,
however, they will be improved upon
as soon as the work OF cleaning up, I'M
der the direction OF Health Officer
spragg, shall have been accomplished.
From all points of view, Wheeling to-
day isbetter prepared to resist an in
vasion Of the terrible plague than many
other cities ofthe country of five and
ten times the population. The authors
ties are doing their utmost to clean up
the by-ways and filthy spots, and by
the end Of the week will have accom-
plished their object
Two amiableRn accomplished physi-
clans were approached last evening by
reporter, and were asked what they
thought OF the chances OF cholera strik-
ing Wheeling il it got a foothold in New
York. They gave it as their opinion
that owing to the present conditions OF
the city and the country, and the ex-
traordinary precautions that were being
taken throughout the land, it would not
only find no encouragement for visit,
but the city would not be, called on to
entertain an unwelcome guest. But,
they said, this year does not mean next.
The cholera germ Is an insidious mi
crobe, which hangs around for some
time, harmless in its lnnocuousness
when frozen to slumber by winters
cold. but when stirred to action by the
next summers sun is not only "a bad
egg" but very dangerous agent OF the
death angel. II may not come thisyear,
but look out for it in thesummer months
to come
DR.. spragg, the city health officer,
was seen at his desk when the INTELLI-
GExcRR reporter called at his office in
the public building Yesterday, and was
in cheerful mood over the work that
he had accomplished in purifying the
noisome places and making clean the
tempting spots for disease to Turk.
THE PEOPLE AROUSED.
ayes" said the doctor, in answer to
an inquiry, 1--WE have pretty thoroughly
cleaned the city, but much yet remains
to be done. l have sent out 1,400 no.
tees to owners Of premises in regard to
abating nuisances, and haye generally
found cheerful response on their part.
The city is in good condition, but we
propose to make it better. The sewers,
plumbing and sanitary arrangements
arc being looked after carefully, and the
board OF public works is cooperating
with the health department in cleaning
the alleys aud streets. The lowlands
around the hill and in the Eighth ward
are being drained and the depressions
filed up, and drainage generally looked
alter"
~ have found" remarked the doctor,
"that the people are taking personal
interest in tile matter, and when you
arouse that feeling on the part OF the
public, the healthful condition of the
city may be considered measureably
safe. But the city's record in the mat
ter OF death rate is the most encourag-
ing feature, the ratio for last month be.
ing only thirty-seven in one thousand
OF population. do not think We need
fear an invasion Of cholera this year,
but if it should come we are well pre-
pared for it"
"The greatest trouble we have to con-
tend with ut present." remarked Dr.
Spragg, lis the crematory, owing to the
shortage OF gas. Just now we are I'M
able 10 consume the amount of garbage
and night soil that is brought to this
place. The gas company, however, has
promised to remedy this in few days.
Ii this promise is fulfilled We will get
along nicely. The fire department is
cooperating with US in flushing sewers
and cutters. They were at work in the
First ward to-day and it will be con-
tinued throughout the city,"