The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1893-03-10
Prevention of Cholera.
STATE Board OF HEALTH.

Asiatic cholera is today kept from our
midst through the excellence of our mai
time quarantine service. The danger to us
! is imminent. If it does not eventually elude
the vigilance which has thus far kept it at
bay, it will be fortunate exception to the
usual history of tae disease. In the event
of its entrance no place can be reckOned
safe from its visitation, while those places
upon the highway of travel, like our own
state, by reason of the tide of emigration,
viii be especially exposed.
In view of the possibility of having to
deal with this dread disease, either in the
near future or during the next spring and
summer, the state board of health deems it
prudent to issue this circular, in the hope to
secure such preparation as will place the
state in the best possible condition to resist
an attack. Should the disease actually ap-
pear in Kansas or any of the adjoining
states, another circular Will be published,
giving more specific directions for dealing
with it. 1t is hoped, however. that by the
concerted action of this and other state
boards of health, and by the general obser-
vance of the precautions recommended
herein, the necessity for further instruct
ions will be avoided.
To be fOrewarned in this matter should
be fOrearmed, also. The responsibilities
resting upon state and municipal authoTi-
ties in thisilemergency must be faithfully
discharged if they would avoid harsh crit1-
cism in the future.
Cholera is an acute infections disease,
caused Dy specific organic poison or dis
ease germ, derived directly or indirectly
from preeXiSting cases of the same disease.
1t if infectious only in certain ways. It is
not "catching' in the sense that small -pox
and scarlet fever are said to be. To take
the disease, one must eat 1t or drink it: the
germ must gain access to the intestinal
canal in a living state. 1t does not come
from mysterious epidemic constitution Of
! the atmosphere, but in accordance with
certain we'll understood laws. Therefore,
all unnecessary alarm may be avoided
only that salutary fear is desirable which
shall lead each inVIdual to avoid and remove
those conditions which favor not only chol-
era, but typhoid fever and other diseases.
Cholera Is a stern teacher of the import
ance of public hygiene. ut is the worlds
great nuisance searcher,' says Il learned
J author, ''as we'll as relentless destroyer,
silently invading and shifting the people
that have left open the door for such vista
tion.''
The worst outbreaks of CHI olera occur
where The sanitary conditions are bad !;
where accumulatiGns of fifth and stagnant
ponds are found; where the drinking water
is polluted; where ventilation Is neglected,
and the people are ov3rerowded. These
conditions undoubtedly furnish fruitful
soil for the reception of the special cause of
the disease. Thus 1t Is ''hlth disease
1t is mistake to suppose that the disease
falls like a thunderbolt from clear sky,
and works widespread destruction irreS-
pectiYG of conditions or locality. On this
point, the cholera commission of the German
0L0pUG Is IlIIl anu explicit, IC ulOSG iii =
portant part,'' states their report, sis played
by the locality to which the germ is
brought" Again, sit is spread more by in
fected localities than by infected indivi-
dualS."
DR.. Shakespeare of Philadelphia, in his re-
port to the United States government upon
cholera in Europe and India, states: 1.-The
| spread of the disease after its introduction
into a locality is universally associated with
contaminated water supply, filthy habits,
and bad personal and domestic hygiene"
Cleanliness is its mortal enemy. This
! cleanliness can be secured only by vigorous,
| intelligent, and concerted action, and can be
maintained only by unceasing vigilance.
| House to house inspections, by reSOlute,
! impartial, painstaking official, detailed for
| that purpose, and supported by specihc
authority, dulv conferred by ordinance, IS
! Indispensable. The supervision OF this week
! should be entrusted TO board of health In
! the larger cities, while i'll the smaller cities,
! towns, and villages, the appointment of a
competent physician us health officer, to act
wi h the myOr, would doubtless fulfill the
requirements.
All measures of preparation should be ad-
! opted without DELAY, as in the actual pres
| ence Of the disease such measures may not
| be effectively, even if safely undertaken.
On the part of local health boards and
health officials, the following essential pre-
cautions are earnestly advised:
First-ThOrough sanitary inspection OF
| every city, town and village.
Second-The drainage of all stagnant
ponds and low, wet grounds.
Th1rd-The careful cleansing and disin-
| lection of all sewers and public drains, privy
| vaults, slaughter houses, pig pens, ETC.
| Fourth-The destruction, entire and com
pete, of all accommodations of filth that may
| be discovered.
The markets should be inspected, with
eference to the quality OF the food Offered
for sale.
On the part of private citizens and house
holders, it is recommended that they make
a careful survey and thorough cleaning VI
of cellars, barns, and Out-hOuses; of house
drains, sinks, cesspoOls, pr1VIeS, and fou
ash heapes; and, in short, the most scrupu'
| lOus cleanliness both in and out of door!
| should be secured and maintained. All The
| preventive measures against cholera may b'
| summed up in the words: Live healthily IL
| healthy homes.
What has been said concerning the clean
| illness of towns and private premises VIII APP
ply with even greater force to railway stat
ions, railway ears, hotels anG similar places
! Every one who is responsible for the sam
tary condition of any building o. apartment
for the accommodation of the travelling pub
lie is urged to see that his charge Is kept IL
the cleanest possible condition, and to hav'
special care that all privies, water closets
and urinals shall be regularly and systema
tically cieansed and disinfected
The board desires to call the special at
tention of all individuals and communitie
to the great importance of looking with es
pecial care to the character of their drinkin:
water supply, and the early adoption Of sucl
precautions as will insure its purity. 1t is il
the drinking water that the germs of choler
most often enter the system: hence the ne
cessitY for examining the wells and othe
sources of supply without delay. The leak
age of priVy Yaluts and cess-pOols into well
is matter of much more frequent occur
renee than is generally deemed possible b.
owners. In case of doubt, the drinkln!
water should be boiled before use. Slmlla
care should be exercised regarding the &c
and milk supply.
Avoid partaking of unripe, half decaye'
or indigestible vegetables and fruit.
| Finally, all that is suggested TO be don
herein will be a substantial gain to the pub
| lie health interests of the state, reducing III
mortality from disease, even though W
should fortunately escape cholera vista
ton.
A very efficient method of dispOsing G
much refuse, both of households and CON
munities, is to DESTROY it by burning.
For purposes Of disinfectIon, the com
mercial sulphate of iron (copperas or gree
vitrioD and the chloride of lime will b
found cheap and efficient These may b
made into solutions in the proportion OF on
and one-half pounds Of the former and one
half pound of the latter to the gallon G
water. In these proportions, the solution
should be freely used.
This circular will be sent to local board
of health, health officers. and municipal au
thorities, rs far as practicable. Count
health officers are requested TO deliver
| COPY personally or by mail to the mayor