The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-04-28
SANITATION.
This All Important Subject Con-
sidered by the Social Science
Club Last Evening.
An Able Paper by DR.. e. j. Davis,
Followed by an Interesting
and Instructive Dis.
CuSSiOn.

Though the evening was disagree
able one TO be abroad, there was a
larger attendance Of the members
than usual at the meeting of the So
cial Science Club Tuesday night. The
question for consideration was that of
sanitation, and was one of absorbing
interest, turning as it did upon the
local situation. DR.. e. j. Davis read
an able and interesting paper upon
the question, which is SO practical in
its. local application that we repro
duce it in full:
Mr. PRESIDENT AND GENTLEMEN:
1T is curious to note the wonderful
influence which, during the last half
century, the prevalence OF virulent
epidemIcs has mad upon the progress
Of local sanitary reform. Towns,
cities and governments, which for
years have been ,lukewarm to the en-
treaties and warnings OF physicians
and scientists are suddenly aroused to
active health measures, by reason Of
the shame and Obl0Quy incurred from
the exposure of their diSgraceful con-
ditiOn to all the world, and by reason
Of immense pecuniary loss. Cholera
and yellow fever have been our potent
auxiliary with the public. A few
years ago the latter walked up Mem
phis, New Orleans, and many other
cities in the sunny south, to the ne
cessity of vigorous sanitary reform.
The former, In 1SS4-5, made great
mark upon Italy, and is now causing
self-reproach her lamentable lethargy
and defects in public hygiene. Last
year it knocked loudly for admission
at the gateway Of our country and
will doubtless repeat the call this
summer with increased force. Should
any city or village in America be VS.
tied by an epidemic of cholera the
whole world will pronounce it un-
clean.
We concede that filth does not orig
mate Cholera, yellow fever, diptheria,
typhoid fever, ETC., yet sanltarlanS
agree thai IL greatly intensities the
destructive power OF these plaques,
even 10 such an extent that the neat
est and most SaiubrIOus portion of Il
city VIII be finally devastated.
A city is ike beehive, one cOnglOm-
crate mass, and everybody is neigh
bUr To every other body. The atmO-
sphere and The soil i'll IL makes us all
communists. Only when this fact is
fully recognized aud acted upon i'll
practice will our cities become fit
abOdeS for human beings.
In It's broader sense the study of
hygiene Tor sanitation includes the
examination OF the conditions which
effect The generation, development,
growth and decay Of individuals, or
nations aid OF races. Such is the
modern definition and scope of SAM
itation. 1t is of ancient birth, and
the scripture teaches many valuable
lessons in hygiene. Looking back to
the Laws of Moses, and making note
Of all therein contained relating to
the hea tn Of the people, one is sur
priSed at the extent and clearneSS of
sanitary regulations. They invaded
the most private relations of life, the
most intimate association of sexes, the
daily lives Of the household, and the
ministratiOn of public affairs.
The leading thought and duty
that runs through all, aS golden
thread, is purify and publication.
Sanitation was part of the religion of
Moses, and he certainly made no mis-
take in this matter. The recent dis
COverieS in and about ancient JeruSa-
lem as bearing on this point are full
of interest. La the work there exc
cuted we see that the Jews possessed
clear knowledge of che necessity of
removing ali decUmpoSite matter, as
expeditiously as possible, to places out
side of their city, and when SO remov