The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-04-12
CLEAN UP THE TOWN.
OTHERWISE THERE MAY BE A
CHOLERA EPIDEMIC.
The Chinese Quarter, the Water Supply
and the Quarantine Station
Need Attention.


Need Attention
The spread Of the chorela in Europe
and the prospect that it will find its
way to the United States has caused
the medical fraternity of this city some
uneasiness, Physicians say that, if the
disease should come to the Hawaiian
Islands, the lack of sanitation here
would make its progress rapid and its
effects disastrous.
The lack Of a sewerage system of any
sort and the filthy condition of Homo
lulu has been discussed over and again,
and hardly meeting of the sanitary
board occurs without the matter of
cesspools, reeking with disease germs
and in the very heart of the city being
discussed. So too, the total lack of
sewerage system and the inadequacy of
the water supply comes in for sharp
and suggestive comment,
That portion Of the city forming the
sites for the Chinese wash houses and
the Chinese theater, a considerable
basin in the Nuuanu Vally, is one huge
cesspool filled with filth of every des-
cribable character-a fit breeding
ground for fever and a standing menace
to public health and pubic decency;
while in case Of the introduction Of
cholera it would become a radiator for
contagion, a p, 'manent hot bed for the
breeding Of bacteria.
This subject was freely discussed
last fall by the advisory board of physi-
clans created from among the medical
fraternity as an adjunct to the board
Of health, as was the quarantine station
which is also open to critical com
mentary The advisory board made
careful investigation of every subject
relating to sanitation and issued a vol
luminous report, but while the conclu-
sions were logical nothing has been
done toward carrying out the recon-
mendations made. The board charges
this to lack of funds.
In the report of this commission to
the sanitary board attention is called to
the Nuuanu valley cesspool and the
quarantine station particularly. The
first is condemned, and it is insisted
that the buildings be removed and the
swamp be filled in with solid matter.
In regard to the character Of the
citys water supply, the commission
called attention to the fact that the
open reservoirs from which Honolulu
receives it for drinking and domestic
purposes, give no security against the
defilement of the water.
This report was dated Oct 7 last
and had the effect of securing an appro-
priation of $4,000 from the govern.
ment to procure an artesian water supply
for this city, but the money is yet held
in allegiance.
A STAR reporter interviewed severa
prominent physicians, and members Of
the board of public health regarding
this subject and all were of the opinion
that something must be done and that
Immediately. Mr. Dayton was the leas'
disturbed of any of the gentlemen visit
ed, but he was not satisfied with the
sanitary conditions here, and urged the
extending of the water supply and the
Encouragement ofthe quarantine system
Mr.. Dayton believed that the trade
winds we're an efectual barrier to the
introduction Of cholera, but that theory
was effectually knocked out by the
charts of these winds shown in ocean
Meteorology," by Geo. Findlay, F. R.
G. S. Besides Honolulu is on the ex
IRENE northern boundary of the north
east trades.
DR.. Emerson who was President OF
the boad Of public health for two years
and has written several valuable papers
on these subjects believes Honolulu
would not escape the scourge in case
of its introduction to America, while
the disease if it did gain a foothold
would become a pestlence that could
not be readily handled here with our
lack of facilities. DR.. Andrews gave
the reporter some valuable information
as to the characteristics Of cholera and
condemned the sanitary system here as
at the quarantine station, bearing out
DIR. Emerson in his report of the mis-
cradle condition Of that island and OF
the buildings the patients are forced to
occupy DIR. McGrew conceded with
these gentlemen and reiterated the
sentiments expressed and the conditions
found as reported by the advisory
Commission" of which he wasamember.