Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-05-18
4 CAUTION 70 rHE rEoPLE
An Important Circular Just Issued by the
State Board of Health.

Before the advent OF the hot season the
state Board Of Health deems il wise and
proper to call the attention Of local Boards
Of Health and all citizens to the import
ance Of strict sanitary and hygienic meas
ures This is made donbly important in
view of the fact that high authorities look
confidently for IN epidemic Of Asia!ic
cholera during the coming summer
months. The idage that AN ounce OF pre-
vention is worth a pound of cure is Il trae
one and especially so as regards cholera.
As preventive measure against all dis
eases OF a contagious character, cleanliness
stands first Let each citizen constitute
himself sanitary board to see that his
own premises are in a thoroughly pure
and healthy condition. Examine the house
from cellar to garnet, collecting and re-
moving all filth of whatever kind and de
stroyng il with tire. Follow the cleaning
with Il free use OF WhiteWash wherever il
is applicable, and the Use OF one of the dis
infeCtantS hereinafter mentionedl at any
points where odurs are present. or there is
any suspicion that disease germs may be
lurking Thoroughly clean all DuthOIises,
wells, clsternS, priSy wells, cess pools from
bath -rooms and water closets, drains, in a
word every place where filth of any kind
| may lCrk. Follow the cleaning with the
application Of lime when possible. and in
every case the free use of disinfectants.
Carefully collect all decaying animal and
vegetable matter lyiag about the yard, and
destroy with fire Cali the attention of the
proper railroad of -,als, proprietors of fac
tories, hotel keepers and school commits
sioners TO the condition Of the water closets
and urinals at stations, factories, school
houses and public houses and require that
they be thoroughly cleansed and disin-
feCted at short intervals during the hot
| weather.
The water supply of the people, while
| most important. is at the same time most
difficult to deal with satisfactorily. The
large majority OF persons accept water as
| pure if IL looks clear, free from sediment
and does not smell badly, but these are
not evidences. Let the wells be cleaned,
| examine and see that surface water is not
| draining into the well from u filthy sink or
drain, that the waste well and privy are at
a sufficient distance from the we'll as to
| preclude all possibility of contamination
| from these sources. Where thore is the
| slightest suspicion that the water supply
| is not good and no other can be had, the
! water should be boiled before using,
| Epidemic diseases do not, as d rule, attack
those in robust health who observe ord
nary care, but We would urge upon every
one the Importance of extraordinary care
| during the coming summer Let our
| people avoid excess Of whatever kind, over
fatigue, either physical or mental; mn
necessary exposure to Indictment weather,
| all indulgence in premature or unripe
fruit OF vegetables, Diarrhnas should be
promptly treated. Cholera is generally
preceded by lOOseness Of the bowels for IA
day or two, and in some cases u longer
time.
Care should be exercised in the selection
and thorough cooking of food. Look we'll
to the milk supply The careful observance
Of the above precautions will so long
way in preserving our people from the
ravnges OF epidemic diseases.
Let all citizens realize thar they are per
sonaly interested and respons bic for the
carrying ont Of the above precautions
against the introduction and prevalence of
epidemic diseases. The law herewith APP
pended gives the power to enforce sanitary
measures against any refusing or neglect
ing to attend to these recommendations.
Complaint from any citizen to the state
Board Of Health will receive prompt ut.
tention.
SECTION 3. CHAPTER 345, LAWS OF DELAWARE.
And il the person 10 whom such direction is
given shall not observe and NUM- the same
within The time prescribed by the board, the
said person or persons shall be deemed
guilty OF u common nuisance, and upon CON
yiotlon thereof before Justice of the pence,
shall DO fined not less than FIVE dollars, nor
more than twenty dollars, with cost oil suit, and
stand committed 10 the county jail till the
same bp paid, or until discharged by law.