St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1895-12-21

The germ theory OF disease has been
before the world long enough to sue
cessfully withstand the severest criti-
cism, and is rs fully proven as many
admitted principles called scientific.
As . poet has put it:
There are
Germs in the dir,
Germs in the sea.
Germs wherever We may he:
Germs and to spare, growing Ia ne,
German germs from Germany.
Whatever We say
Or write or think.
Germs VIII wriGgle In tho mkt
On tongues they'll play.
And culture" drink.
For each minute cerebral chink.
1t Is these germs that are the cause
of that class of disease called xymotic.
or infections 1t is the infectious dis
eases that are the death-producers in
the world.
Disease germs take their habitation
in filth. which Is : reason why In the
low. filthy portions Of cities. and in
those dwellings where living beings
are crowded together like bees IN q
hive, infectious diseases takc their
hold, and frequently cause an ex-
tremely large death-rate.
There are also certain classes OF dis
eases that are induced by fungi, or
mold, the very lowest form of vegcta-
bic life. which is continued by spores
and mycelium, or thread-likc tubes,
which in their minuteness are undis-
tinguishable by the human eye, but
will float in the atmosphere. and by
attachment to the human being pro-
duce disease.
The atmosphere is an agency In the
production of disease; it Is believed
that the country possesses the great
advantage Of pure air, green fields and
sparkling waters. but these blessings
can be and often are neutralized by
the commission of gross sanitary sins
The air of home in the country, or 4
farm home. may be rendered q very
h0tbed of disease by confinement, the
unsanitary condition of cellars, drain
age. source Of water supply and sur
roundeding filth.
s'Twenty years ago the state board
Of health of Massachusetts, made .
searching and thorough examination
into the condition of health and causes
OF sickness in farmers families OF that
state, and derived the following con-
clusions:
''As regards longevity, they are Sec
ond to no class or community.
Farmers wives IRE not as long-lived
as their husbands
1.-THE chief causes Of sickness are:
First, overWork and exposure. the
women being moro frequently over
worked than the men.
Second. improper and improperly
cooked food
Third. damp location Of dwellings.
Fourth. want Of cleanliness about
their houses, especially in reference to
drains, privies. cellars and proximity
70 barn-yards and hog-pens
Fifth, impure drinking-water,
largely due to the preceding cause.
sixth. bedrooms improperly venti-
lated, and on the ground floor. with
the too general use of feather-beds.
Seventh. insufficient recreation"
What is true Of farmers in Massachu-
set ) may be supposed to be true of
farmers Of Connecticut and other
states, although great changes have
been made in both states since the re-
has been shown. filth, the lodging
place Of disease germs, is permitted to
exist in or about farm homes, the sani-
tary conditions are imperfect, and
steps should be taken to remedy
them. Bacteria are also agencies
Of disease. and find Judgment
under filthy conditions Santa
ton demands that every precau-
ton should be taken in the cases Of
infectious diseases. that the spread OF
disease germs be prevented. Take
even . case of tuberculosis. or con-
sumption, and it is fully believed that
Il the matter expectorated is not dis
posed Of by being elected into water
and tisen buried. but, - is sometimes
the case, be elected upon the floor,
even In minctest quantities, it con-
taiDs the germs Of the disease, which
when dried and disiategrated may be
taken up by the atmosphere, and float
ing therein find Judgment, by inhals-
tion. in the passages OF tie lungs,
and thus generate . new case Ct the
disease.
Sanitation has advanced far beyond
the mere suppression OF these grosser
nuisances which conspicuously offend
the senses; the deadly maladies,
typhoid fever, cholera, consumption,
etc. do not announce their presence to
their victims BY appgeciable signals
until they have succeeded in passing
the guards and gaining possession Of
the citadel They do not herald their
approach By any impression on the
sense Of sight. smell. taste or touch,
but they silently enter. intrench them
selves in the vitala, and begin their
fatal work before the consciousness OF
their presence.
Cleanliness is the foundatiou upou
which the structure Of health Is to b
erected. and which has wiped away
many fearful scourges- So unless farm
homes sre clespsed in every respect,
and weli-ventilated drains properly
eoustructsd and all sources Of nth 1T
tended to. their sanitary conditioa il
mot What itahould 49, and In the ease
of infectious diseases, unlaas proper
means Of disinfection ara employed.
the germs Of disease win stiIl Turk
there an1stsnd ready to mako another
loved ope . victim The rights Of in.
dividuals and communities require that |
due diligence should be exercised at |
al farm homes. that ~ nearly perfect |
sanitary conditions rs possible may Be |
secured. -Mr& VIM u Yeomaus, II |
Farm end Fircside.
Thu most marked ihereaie Of va;uo |
= tAas soastsy ~ besa y ~ lss& !