The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1894-09-20
An Interesting Paper by I.
j. M. GOss, A. M, M. ID.
FILTH THE CAUSE OF DISEASES,
Cleanliness Absolutely Necessary to
Secure Health. Use Disinfectants
About Your Premises.
[For the Marietta Journal. |

For the Marietta Journal
1t is a we'll known fact that certain |
atmospheric poisons produce certain
diseases. These poisons generally |
originate from filth especially that
class of diseases called zymotic. |
Ktiology, or the cause Of disease is
one of the first things that claims
the study of students in medicine.
And itis very essential for all towns
and cities to understand, as far as
prophylaxis or prevention is con-
cerned. Every effect must have a
cause. Disease is an effect, and has
a specific cause, and this cause acts
uniformly. We are not ia a world
Of mere chance, but one governed
by laws. Every effect must have a
cause, and every such cause acts to
produce said effect. The phenomena
of life are very complex, and require
study 10 order to avoid the multi
piled causes of diseases. Preventive
medication is now assuming great
Importance. To destroy the causes
of disease is the business of those
who preside over the affairs of the
towns and cities. The best methods
of prophylaxis are to be carefully
applied to counteract the causes OF
disease. Let it be understood that
one of the most common causes of
! disease is filth. This is often some-
/ thing Misunderstanding. All or
ganized bodies have natural ten
dency to return to their original
clements These bodies, while they
possess life, resist the process of
decomposition, but as soon as this
vital principle ceases, then decom-
position begins, and, under the in
fiuence OF moisture and heat, this
decomposition continues until the
elemental condition is reached. And
in the course OF this decomposition
many products are elaborated which
are poisonous to the human race,
and some are noxious to animals.
These poisons have elective affinity
for certain portions of the organic
structure, and have power to infu-
ence organs, functions and structures
in certain direction. These pois~
ons, according to their molecular
composition, excite, depress, or per-
vert certain functions. Cleanliness
is essential to health. The filth that
is generated, by the decomposition of
our bodies is very offensive, and at
same time poisonous if retained, or
left exposed. All excreta from the
body should be carefully buried.
No filth should be allowed about our
homes, in our food, or in our towns
and cities. 1t is possible to make
most of places healthtul, if properly
located. Drainage, sewerage, and
care in observing cleanliness about
our homes, will convert unhealthy
into healthy places. If people know
that filth is one of the most potent
causes Of disease, they may thereby
be induced to observe sanitary regu,
lations. Health is wealth. Public
health should be the object of all
countries, towns and cities. 1t is
loss of time and money to be sick.
The eruptive fevers are an example
of cause producing uniform effects. |
Smallpox is a product OF our bodies,
which reproduces itself; and so of
measles and other similar diseases.
Endemic diseases, as typhoid fever,
are the results of peculiar poison,
or filth, infaming the bowels, espec-
tally Peyer's glands. And it is a
tact that the excreta will reproduce
this disease. There are simple
methods of disinfectipg noxious waste
in towns, cities or at private homes,
so that they will not produce dis
eases. The filth about cesspools,
privies, or barn-yards, or hog pens,
may be disinfected by manganate of
Potash, with small cost. The sul>
plate of iron, in solution, fixes many
volatile substaL ces, as urea and
others, so as to prevent evaporation,
and prevent offensive odors, etc.