The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-18
SANITARY NEEDS
PROF. JOHN N. HuRTY DISCUSSES
THEN BEFORE PROGRESS CLUE.
Sanitary Science Would Save at Least
Four Lives "a Year in
Indianapolis.

Prof. John n. Hurry. struck a popular
chord with the members of the Progress
Club yesterday afternoon by speaking upon
the subject, Some of the Economic As
poets of Sanitary Science" The members
were delighted with the theories which
Professor Hurry advanced, and no adverse
criticism was offered on what he said. One
man was so enthusiastic that he arose at
the conclusion of the talk and said it would
be well for the city of indianapolis if some
of the Mayors had been men of scientific
minds, instead of ..the old fogies that have
been elected" Professor Hurry presented
some cold-blooded figures to show the loss
of life and money caused by a failure to
adopt stringent sanitary measures. His
talk was addressed to the citizens of In
dianapolis.
~.If this city would give sanitary science
proper support said Professor Hurry in
his introduction, sit could save at least
four hundred lives annually. All are aware
that our municipal government is a ma
chine, in which there is some friction.
much Unnecessary lost motion and much
unnecessary wear. Health and hygiene
should go hand in hand, and the latter
should point out. how the former
can be attained. Hygiene demands
for the attaining of health pure
air, pure food, pure water and protection
from the weather and infections. Sanitary
measures. hygiene reduced to a science,
could not only save four hundred lives in
this city annually, but can save many thou
sand cases of sickness. Tt can save many
thousand dollars and add incalculably to our
body comfort and peace of mind. A small
per cent. Of the pecuniary saving which
this science is capable of making would
put in full operation the.system and plants
and pay the men necessary to carry on the
work"
milk, and pointed out the loss to the COM
munity by having poor or adulterated milk
sod o lie e eai,11 tee. that NV a0 d Is paId .b IN
population Of the city at 10000. In a year
the amount expended for milk amounts to
S525, 900. Chemists have SHOWN by demon
STATIONS that the food value of milk is
reduced at least 10 per cent. by watering,
by improper distribution, and because COM
ing from unhealthy animals. The city there
fore loses about So, 900 annually by not hav-
ing in force the proper sanitary measures.
would save the remainder. The present
laws are worthless, and the Board of Health
is not allowed the money to carry on the
work properly. Professor Hurry estimated
that there are $3.50 families in this city,
allowing five persons to each family. lie
said the estimation that each family con-
/ low. He said at least $4,000 is spent daily
in Indianapolis for food. 1t is known that
q SICdl Cdf " 4 L1llo toOd - ~ ~ ~ 10y
proper standard. From scientific data it is
estimated that the deterioration is about 8
per cent. Adopting this per cent. loss in
value of food, we have a daily loss in In,
dianapplis OF 81 300. Sanitary science could
save 50 per cent. of this loss. There could
be a possible daily saving Of $1,000, or an
annual saving of $685., coo.
As to garbage, Professor Hurry said there
was but one thing to do with 1t, and that
was to burn it. He said the present system
in use in this city is very lame" He said
it is not a good sanitary measure to scatter
it on the ground or bury it. The night soil
should he utilized, and should turn at
least $40, 600 into the city treasury. During
the last year there were 700 deaths in this
city. 20 per cent. of which were p~reyentahie.
Professor Hurry estimated the annual loss
in Indianapolis because of poor sanitary
measures at 100000. To show how food may
be adulterated and thereby lose its food
value he introduced a letter from a st:
Louis firm. in which the firm offered to sell
a secret whereby cream can be manufac-
tured and sold at a great profit. The own
ers of the process guarantee that the fraud
cannot be detected, but Professor Hurry
said the value of the manufactured cream
would be small, and the purchasers would
lose by using it.