Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-19

the Columbian University lecture hall He
lectured at the invitation of the Sanitary
League. and his subject was "Asiatic Cholera
in Its Relations to Sanitary Reforms" He
gave, in popular way, clear
idea Of how cholera spread. and
showed how false were many popular
delusions respecting the disease. The whole
address was in effect plea for sanitary reform
and showed how sanitary improvements, such
rs were undertaken to ward off cholera, were ap-
plicable as well to other maladies. and re-
suits in great good. besides securing possible
immunity from cholera. At the close the lee
turer was heartily applGuded. DR.. WEIGH was
introduced by DR.. J. 5. Billings, whose guest
he while in the city.
Since the appearance of Asiatic cholera in
Europe last summer, the lecturer said and
especially since its arrival in the harbor of New
York last autumn, an unusual degree of inter-
est in sanitary matters has been awakened
throughout the country. This is mainly due to
the widespread popular apprehension lest this
most dreaded of epidemic diseases should gain
foothold in this country during the coming
summer and autumn. UnwOnted attention is
given TO public health administration. The
national government provides additional legis-
latlon regarding quarantine. There is gen.
eral cry for cleaner streets, removal of public
ton. The character OF the water supply is
scrutinized. Measures, often more vigorous
than wise. are taken to remedy sanitary defects
of long growth. Hospitals for infectious dis
eases and modern disinfecting plants are de-
manded. Committees and conferences of citi-
zens OF various civic organizations are formed
Magazines and newspapers are lending their
aid, often most efficiently, toward the educa-
ton of the public and measures for widespread
sanitation. and the public is reader to listen
than at ordinary times.
However near or remote one may consider e
visitation of cholera, whether or not one may
approve Of much which is written on this sub
ject at present and of some of the measures
urged for the prevention of this disease, any
one interested in sanitary improvements must
welcome the increased attention given to this
subject and the larger opportunity to secure
some permanent additions to our sanitary re-
sources. This feeling may be tempered by the
fear that excitement and sudden emergencies
may lead to hasty and inconsiderate measures
and foolish expenditure Of money, but this
makes it all the more desirable to take advan-
tage of the opportunity and to try to direct
thought and action into the right channels.
GOOD THAT MAY BE DONE.
In this way sureiv some good can be DONE
knowledge of the simpler principles Of hygiene
can be more widely dlffused among the people
The sanitary sense. even Of the more enlight-
ened, can be further cultivated. The active
interest and cooperation of the public-spirited
citizens can be secured. Sanitary defects can
be brought into clearer light and to some ex-
tent remedied. Public health administration
can be aided and improved. Possibly a hos
pital for infectious diseases. public disin-
fecting establishment, even some important
work in municipal engineering, improved
methods of registration Of vital statistics or
better sanitary legislation may be secured.
The Sanitary League Of Washington, by
whose invitation 1 appear here this evening,
has been recently called into existence with
aims and purposes such these and which
have been fully and admirably put before the
place few weeks ago. Ii mistake not, the
origin of the league can be traced to influences
springing from the popular apprehension of
the invasion of cholera into this country. The
organizers of this movement wisely determined
to make the best use in theft power of the in
creased interest in sanitary matters. They
were doubtless influenced at least quite as much
by the belief that what the league aims to
accomplish is good at all times as by an espe-
cial urgency IN the situation. but it may be
doubted whether this organization would have
been formed just at this time if not for the con-
ditions which have been mentioned.
CHOLERA AND SANITATION.
The present occasion seems to me, there
fore, an appropriate one to speak of certain
matters relating to the history and causation
of Asiatic cholera which have a direct bearing
upon sanitation. Some knowledge of the
nature and modes Of distribution of infectious
diseases must be useful to those interested in
questions of public health, and although each
infectious disease presents its own peculiar
problems there is none which can teach more
important and helpful lessons in sanitation
than cholera. The sixty-two years which have
passed since the first appearance Of Asiatic
a... al =,
most important Developments OF modern
hygiene. 1t is interesting to note to what
extent the sanitary work and sanitary science
have been influenced by the occurrence and
study Of this disease.
1t was under the direct impressions of the
hrst terrible visitation of cholera that in Eng
land, the Office of registrar general was estab-
lished and William Farr was appointed to fill il.
We owe to this Office and to the work Of this
man the application OF statistics to public
health. As has been said by an English writer:
1T Is impossible Tor any nation for any gov
eminent 20 remain indifferent when in figures
which admit OF no denial the national amount
of health or happiness or disease and suffering
is determined. The establishment of the
registrar generals office, in 1885, and the COM
mencsment OF the system OF accurately re-
cording births and deaths will hereafter be
found to be. as far AZ the happiness of the peo-
pie is concerned. one of the most important
especially 10 him 20 whose sagacity the chief
fruits OF the inquiry are due, to William FAIR ;"
A decisive part in the development of the
doctrine that certain Infectious diseases are
propagated chiefly through the agency of i'm
pure drinking water and contaminated soil is
traceable to the investigation concerning the
mode of spread of cholera. The celebrated in
stance of the Broad street pump ii. London in
1854 furnished conclusive evidence that the
cholera poison may be conveyed by the drink
ing water. distinguished modern hysienist.
Carl Frankel. has said. Tine Broad street
pump has played not only decisive role in the
cholera question. but it has also furnished the
most important impulse for the development Of
a new in the department of public hygiene ~
That pioneer and master OF modern hygiene
Max Won Pettenkofer, bases to a large extent
his views as to the agency OF contaminated soil
in the spread of certain infectious diseases
upon forty years study Of the relation Of the
soil to the distribution of cholera.
1T HAS SAVED As WELL AS DESTROYED.
Cholera has destroyed millions Of human
lives, but it has been the means of saving
millions more. 1t mas been one of the great
levers in the progress OF sanitation. The
same measures which are required to protect a
city against the occasional epidemlcs OF cholera
are needed at all times to protectit against other
infectious diseases. such typhoid fever
which, although they do not come with the ter
rible impeiuosity OF cholera. steadily do their
deadly work and in the course of time destroy
far more lives than cholera. But II has often
happened that governments and people are not
aroused by these common but preventable