Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-04
AFRAID OF DISEASE,
The Draining of the Two Riy.
erS Might Prove Serious
to the Public.
ONE PHYSICIAN OBJECTS,
He Is Opposed to Exposing Deposits
of Filth to the Sun.
AAYOR GOURLEY'S PROCLAMATION
Allegheny City Preparing to Receive the
Cholera Germs
HAYOR GOURLEY's PROCLAMATION
PITTSBURGERS NOW on THE OCEAN

Wy dulIOTlIleS anu MANY o
the rvermen have heretofore agreed tha
the rivers can be cleared only by draining
but yesterday the drainage scheme met Wig
orous opposition from several physicians il
the city.
Chief Brown, Mayor Gourley, Colone
Roberts, Mayor Kennedy, of Allegheny
and Others int rested in keeping the choler,
from getting toothold in this community
met yesterday morning to discuss ways anC
means of keeping the plague out. All
united In the opinion that the rivers should
be drained and cleaned. and the only scheme
suggested was that of lowering the wickets
at the Davis Island dam, and in that way
draining the river bed.
Physicians Oppose the Measure.
The advisability of draining the rivers
was literally discussed by the authorities,
and it was finally decided to consult ply
sicisns on the subject
Several physicians who were. seen last
night, without considering the subject,
gave it as their opinion that the draining of
the rivers would be beneficial to the cty's
health. Several others, however were
confirmed in the belief that the draining of
the rivers at this time would not only be
dangerous, but might tend to spread dis
ease just as deadly as cholera.
Cleanliness is a positive prevention to
the CHOLERA" DR.. c. c. Wiley said last
night But" he went on, 'the city al
thorities should consider well before they
attempt to drain the two rivers by lowering
the wickets of the Davis Island dam. To
lower the wickets at this time when the
water is low would almost completely drain
the harbor.
: S=lim emf That Breeds Death
'It would uncover on either side of the
river at least 60 feet of the river bottom,
and at this point everybody knows the
river bottom is made up of the refuse
accumulated for probably life
time. To uncover that sediment Just
now would be very dangerous. 1t
is foul and is death-breeding at aay time,
but to uncover it and expose il to the sun
would be like propagating germs OF all kinds
OF disease. Even il cholera did not reach
Pittsburg all kinds of fever diphtheria and
other malignant diseases would certainly
follow such exposure, and the people re-
Eponsible for draining the rivers might oe
responsible for the introduction of tnose
diseases
At tie morning meeting reports of the
york " done by the several depart
-lnnus o. - city We're received DR.. j. c.
Dunn wrote 10 Mayor Gourley offering
some valuable suggestions in regard to
treating cholera. The letter says:
Methods to Fight Cholera.
am glad that Chief Brown has decided to
take every precaut1on to prevent an out
break in this city without risking the delay
that could not be avoided if an appeal was
made to Councils. In my opinion he is
taking the proper course, and if at any time
in the future this is denied, believe he will
be sustained by the courts.
However. you know and know all the
precautions that could possibly be taken
by the municipal authorities will not pre-
vent the disease from coming to this city
If it reaches the country at all. The city
officials can clean public Thoroughbred,
and even compel the people to renovate
houses and yards, but they cannot force in
dividuals TO take the proper care of them
. selves. Therefore l take the liberty of
offering lev suggestions in regard to
the care OF persons afflicted with the dis
ease. In the event of epidemic
suppose an effort would be made to
duce some Of the hospitals to care for the
sufferers, for the accommodation of the
Municipal Hospital would not be adequate.
think 1t would be unjust to the hospitals
10 make such demand, and would advise
Chief Brown to select site upon which
building could be erected quickly If cholera
IS reported Ia the country. l would also sug
Eest that he detail officers to Eeta list OF
physicians and nurses who would be willing
70 act If they are needed. This NAV not seem
to be necessary now, but this preliminary
arrangement must be made before there Is
any immediate danger.
p DR.. Dunn also suggested that in the event
Of the disease appearing in this city tents
should be ere cted throughout the city.
Mfyor GourIey tha Pub ic.
Mayor Gourley yesterday issued the fol-
lowing circular which he ordered should be
distributed by the police. The circular is
addressed 10 the public. It reads:
Your most thou thtful and earnest atten-
tion is invited to the accompanying state
ment made 10y the ate Board of Health of
the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and to
9ll OF Jhs suggestions therein contained.
The matters are now of such vital import
ance TO every citizen of this community
that too much care cannot be given to sus-
EesuOns made by those charged, under the
law, with the duty OF preserving tie safety
Of the people; and I especially ask at your
hands that you shall execute in good faith,
diligently and constantly all of the sUgges-
tons contained III this official circular in
te2dtd for the preservation OF health, and
70 the prevention and spread of disease and
epidemic. l am satisfied that careful
hou"ht given TO these matters and the
arnesU cooperation of the people OF this
uCmmunity will largely tend to the preser-
T6Iun OF tie health OF our citizens, and, in
case Of the presence of cholera and other
infectious disease. limit the scope of their
Clre effects. l especially urge on you the
great necessity of removing all house refuse,
Onll, garbage, rubbish, dirt of all kinds and
olG boxes from your back yards and cellars.
A thorough cleansing, whitewashing and
ventila:ing OF all cellars, outhouses and
stables viii contribute largely to the safety
o. the people rom the dreadful effects OF the
cholera, should that terrible disease visit
our city.
Allegheny Is Not Behirdhand.
'hief Murphy, of the Department of
lie Safety of Allegheny, has issued
lar calling attention to the threatened
ton Of cholera. He asks that the
" regulations be rigidly enforced,
recommends that every man and
in Allegheny be the inspector of
vn premises. He promises that
i'll not get ioothold if the people
trious in keeping il out.
rk Of street cleaning was kept up
42v in both cities and in both cities
authorities were content with the work
Iey had accomplished.
Or. i. H. Harris OF Pittsburg, has writ
IN for general distribution circular on
ne cholera, its crgin and history, its pre-
-ontiOn and cure. The circular is filled
with valuable hints. and it traces the dis
ease through al its stages, and supplies in
formation that might be valuable should the
cholera appear here.