The record-union., 1892-10-28
DUTIES OF EMPLOYERS.
Proper Sanitary Precautions Against
the Cholera.

Proper Sanitary Precautions Against
the Cholera.
The consensus of opinions of observers
over wide fields is that the greatest dan
ger from cholera exists where there is a
defective subsOil drainage. This was
first demonstrated by the distinguished
Pettenkoffer, who found, in 1866 that in
all cases where cholera existed this condi-
ton of the soil was present. The typical
results were manifest when there was a
porous soil on the surface with a hard
bottom but a little distance down. This
discovery was previous to that of the
bacillus, but it is was in the right direc-
ton. Other conditions favorable to the
virulence of an attack of cholera are those
of a thicl<ly settled residence district and
| associated filth, especially if there should
be high temperature, low barometer
pressure and much humidity. All other
things being equal, villages having the
greatest proportion Of ignorant people are
apt to suffer most. Not only is it wise.
but it is the duty of health and other au-
thorities to put cities and towns into the
best possible condition for resisting an
epidemic, without awaiting its appear
ance.
There is one class of individuals upon
whom rests responsibility no less, per
haps, than that resting upon the public
otficials-the heads Of great industrial and
transportation enterprises, whom we
sometimes call our Captains of Indus
try" The requirements OF a vast railroad
system or of an enormous manufacturing
plant are such that the superintendents
practically control the time and the move
ments of thousands of employees, who are
not free in time of danger to seek places
of safety from Infection; they may not lee
free to select their places of residence at
any time. On common economic grounds,
if no higher considerations prevail, the
owners of these large concerns would do
well to keep in mind at all time precau-
tiOns for the health of their workmen,
seeing to it that surroundings are in the
best possible condition. An epidemic
would demOralize a factory more than
any strike; yet large manufacturers, in
guarding against strikes and in overcom-
| ing them, spend far more money than
would serve TO put all the great manu-
featuring districts both the
mills and the workingmen's homes
in first-class sanitary condition.
have been informed that one of the
largest factory communities in America
has been built upon land which was first
voluntarily put into the best possible
hygienic condition by the company be-
fore a single workingman's home was
built there, but it is safe to assert that
this is exceptional. Yet / know that
these employers of labor as q rule are in
clined to be fair to their employees, and
believe that any appeal TO them is sutfi-
cient when they see the utility Of it. 1
have often spoken to some of my friends
who are extensive employers of men,
and have been quite interested to know
how they manage things. The result is
that l have been impressed with their de-
sire to put their employees in the best pos
sible relations, and make them comfort
able, happy, and-most of all-healthful.
Hence | think that the suggestion here
outlined need only to be properly placed
before manufacturers to secure their CO.
operation in the work of sanitation.-Dr.
Magazine.