The Democrat. (Scotland Neck, Halifax Co., N.C.) 1884-1896, 1894-08-16
PREV EXITING DISEASE.
IN CITIES, TOWNS AND
THE COUNTRY.
Prot, jerome Dowd Writes from the
University Of Pennsylvania.

Chorlotte Obserrer.
In my visits to various towns and
cities in North Carolina / have often
noted the bad sanitary conditions and
the apparent absence of any sanitary
system whatever. / have also been
Impressed by the prevalence IN our
State Of typhoid fever, diphtheria and
summer complaints in excess of most
any other State in the Union.
In view OF the importance Of this
question of sanitation to each man,
woman and child, and to the material
welfare OF the State, ] had determined,
on the first occasion, to investigate the
question and give out any suggestions
that | might find OF possible aid in
remedyirg the unfortunate state Of
affairs which at present exists.
have been looking somewhat into
the problem during my stay in the city,
and am largely indebted to Mr.. Chas.
f. Kennedy, chief inspector Of the board
Of health, for the suggestions | shall
now offer.
II an army should invade North Car
olina or a strike occur among the rail
road men, resulting in the death OF four
or five Thousand people, the fact Would
arouse everybody in the State, and the
newspapers would be full of the latest
developments. Every business man,
every professional man and every farmer
would be ready to give up his work and
90 to the front But strange to say,
very little interest is awakened by the
killing of as many people by a prevent
able disease-an enemy that wears no
approach by no trumpet an enemy
that works secretly and insidiously;
that refuses to fight in open field, but
creep, into the homes OF the people
and strikes down men, women and
children, indiscriminately
This enemy can be kept out. TO
rout il is only a question OF cleanliness.
D.. Maccornac says, Eve live OF die,
live our full term or perish prematuely,
according as we shall wisely or other
wise determine"
1t is pretty we'll known that typhoid
fever can be taken by the water we
drink or through the air we breathe.
The poison in either air or water is the
result of filth. If putrid matter Is al
lowed on any ones premises, It Is liable
to cOntaminate both The water and the
air. DR.. McNail says that typhoid
fever SIS essentially a preventable dis
ease and where it has not been prevent
ed the fault has consisted in the known
means not having been used
SUGGESTIONS FOR CITIES.
Well water in cities is universally
condemned Where city gets It's water
supply from river the shed should be
we'll guarded for eight or ten miles
above the take. Where the take is
from pond filled by springs, the she'd
should be still more carefully protected.
Flowing water Will purify itself, but
when organic Impurities wash into the
pond the danger Is great. All drinking
water should be frequently analyzed.
! Next to pure water come drainage and
sanitary regulations. In no city should
the disposal of garbage or other matter
be left TO the individual initiative.
That is matter of public concern. #
the effect of neglected premises were to
atfIjct with disease those who are directly
responsible for the neglect. it might be
we'll to leave the matter Of cleanliness
to individuals But unhaDpily the
negiectful citizen may escape, while his
neichbor or some innocent and useful
man or woman, several miles away. may
have to pay tie penalty. No garbage
or other offensive matter should be al
lowed to remain III the city limits Or to
be buried within the city limits That
is the greatest mistake Southern towns
make. To cover up filth does not re-
move the evil In wet weather the
putrid matter moves downward and