New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-11-04
BACTERIA IN RAILWAY CARS.

SANITARY PRECAUTIONS WHICH TRANsPORrA.
TIoN COMPANIES OUGHT TO TAKE
Long before the germ theory Of disease was ~
well established IT is at present II was known that
the health OF railway passengers was often impaired
by draughts or exposure 10 cold air alter sitting
T., overhea ted cars But In addition 70 perils OF that
class others are now recognized az existing In the
baci., syhaIed into the atmosphere by consumptiyes
conveyed to cushions bedding by contact with
the skin of sufferers from other malades, or I'M
ported in the drinking water from unknown sources
of contamination. When people are at nome they
are apt to know II there Is cause to suspect the pres
ence OF such unwholesome influences; the family
mr. vs,cian warns them to take proper precautions
II a case of infectious disease breaks out In their
dwellings; and the town and State authorities are
supposed protect them from the indiscretiohs OK
their neighbors. But when In railway car one
does not know who his companions are, VINO mas
travelled In the same seat or berth the day before.
NOR where the water came from that he drinks
Moreover railway companies are not yet subject TO
the same compusion In regard TO sanitation az The
individual Is. and they have not yet universally
awakened TO the necessity OF making adequate pro-
visions voluntarily against the dangers here men,
toned.
At the meeting OF the American Public Health As
ISOLATION held in Denver two or three weeks ago this
matter was extensively discussed committee re-
port was presented which showed that In ono TIE
state Board OF Health had made numerous recon-
n,endations 10 the transportation companies. and
that these were some extent Needed Dr. o. p.
Conn of Concord. H., who made the report
detailed few Of his vexatious experiences IN trying
to persuade railroad officials to adopt proper sani-
tary measures The general passenger agent de-
cared that it was outside Of his department. the
superintendent of motive power did the same and
en- with every one else. Nevertheless. orders are
Given on many lines for careful sweeping and airing
of cars at the end of each trip. cleaning OF noors
seats and closets the Of disnfectants at times
and the scalding of the water tanks. Commenting
on these facts however, THE Railroad Gazette 90
serves that the best Of Instructions are apt 10 DO
ignored or slackly observed by the average car
cleaner and that the companies should employ an
inspector with acute olfactories and an IRON VIII '"
follow up the cleaners vigorously.
Sleeping and parlor cars are owned oy separate
corporations from the railroad companies, ana they
are already under a more rigid system OF examina-
ton quarantine and renovation These cars are
not only swept and busted but are also washed win
soap after each trip. When any occupant OF pertn
is an invalid the nature OF his malady must De re-
ported and II this be a contagious one the car 10
deliberately disirfected.
In recent discussion OF railway car sanitation
Professor 8 II. Woodbridge pointed out that the
present tendency toward smoothing down the ex-
terror coaches in order to lessen atmospheric frc-
ton and to promote speed threatened to render
necessary a new method Of ventilation. He pro-
posed the use OF mechanism forcing regular sup
Div OF air into the cars at such rate as to over
come the tendency Of the cold outside air, smoke
and cnders to filter in through cracks. dynamo,
run by a belt from a axle, might drive an cleo
trio fan for this purpose, he thought Properly
managed, this plan might remove from most people
the temptation to open windows and thus interfere
with the other means OF ventilation.