The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-04-09
Activity Of the Health Authorities.

Activity Of the Health Authorities.
The activity OF the health authorities in
all parts Of the country is regarded with
satisfaction, because it indicates that if we
have q visitation Of cholera this year
we shall, to some extent, be prepared for it,
The interstate conference Of the representa-
tives of boards and other sanitary officers
that was in session at the Fifth Avenue
hotel, New York, last week has thrown out
many suggestions that may have the effect
of causing greater efforts to be made to put
our cities in good sanitary condition. A
few Of those who took part in the confer
encs expressed the opinion that there Is no
danger of the cholera gaining foothold
in this country this year, but the majority
held a contrary opinion. They thought
there was considerable danger, aud favored
the most vigorous preparations for 1t.
Even if the cholera should not come a
thorough cleaning of our cities would be
beneficial. Those health officers who should
act upon she belief that there is no danger
to be spprehended from cholera, and there
fore neglect to guard against it in their
respective localities, would take risk that
no official would care to take who has a
proper appreciation of the responsibility
resting upon him.
While IL is true that the cholera was kept
out of this country last year, although
many cases of 10 were at the New York
quarantine, and may be kept out this year
If it should make its appearance this sum-
mer at any OF our ports, still it would not
be wise to depend upon quarantine.
The disease has already assumed alarm
ing proportions in Russia, and it has made
Its appearance at LOrient, a seaport in the
western part of France. A number of cases
have also occurred in Hamburg recently,
and on ships from that port. The conolu-
sion, therefore, shat the disease will appear
in many places in Europe before the sum-
mer Is over is not a violent one. 1t is a
conclusion that should impress upon the
health authorities Of our cities the necessity
for insisting upon a supply Of pure water
and the removal Of disease-breeding places.
1t is, of course, important that our streets
should be kept clean, but il is a mistake to
assume that the sanitary condition of the
city is good simply because its streets are
clean. In fact, there Is danger of neglect
ing greater sources Of danger than the
streets. For instance, during the last few
months all the employees in one of the
offices on the Bay in this city have been i'll
from fever, one of them being critically i'll
at the present time. The number OF those
who were ill pointed to local
cause for their illness. A careful
examination showed that water closet on
the floor above the Office in which they we're
employed was leaking and was saturating
the walls of the office and even entering the
water cooler. The sickness was caused by
the poisoned air and polluted drinking
water.
Much OF the sickness In every city is
Jraoeable to just such causes as the forego-
ing. In this city there are many places to
which the attention Of the authorities has
been called frequently that cause disease
They poison the air. In preparing for the
summer, therefore, especial attention should
be paid to such places. There is compare
lively little danger from such fltn as is seen
in the streets. but there isgreat danger from
bad plumbing. oheaply constructed water
closets and neglected vaults in backwards.
The health authorities will not be excused
il they clean the streets and neglect these
unseen but far greater sources Of danger.