The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1895-12-14

For each minute cereDfal cnluk
1t is these germs that are the cause
of that class of disease called zymotic,
or infections. 1t is the infectious dis
eases that are the dcath-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 a.
hive, infectious diseases take their
hold, and frequently cause an ex-.
tremely large death-rate. s
There are also certain classes of dis
eases that are induced by fungi, or.
snold, the very lowest form of vegeta-
bic life, which is continued by spores
and mycelium, or thread-like 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 pros
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 neutrnlized by
the commission of gross sanitary sins.
The air of home in the country, or a
farm home, may be rendered very
hotbed of disease by confinement, the
unsanitary condition of cellars, drain
age, source of water supply and sur
roundeding flth.
Twenty years ago the state board
of health of Massachusetts, made q
searching and thorough examination
into the condition of health and cause.
bf sickness in farmers families of thai
state. and derived the following con
illusions: NftE
sAs regards longevity, they are sec
ond to no class or community.
Farmers wives are not as long-live'
as their husbands. =
1.-THE chief causes of sickness are:
"First overwork and exposure, tn
women being more frequently over
worked than the men. :
''Second, improper and improperl
cooked food.
"Third, damp location of dwelling:
"Fourth, want Of cleanliness .abou
their houses, especially in reference
drains, privies, cellars and proximit
to barn-yards and hog-pens.
Fifth, impure drinking wate
largely due to the preceding cause.
s'Sixth. bedrooms improperly vent
lated. and on the ground floor, wit
the too general use Of feather-beds.
Seventh, insufficient recreation"
What is true of farmers in Massach'
setts may be supposed to be true
farmers of Connecticut and oth'
states, although great changes ha'
been made in both states since the r
mort referred to was made. If, then,
has been shown. filth, the lodgiu
place of disease germs, is permitted
exist in or about farm homes, the sar
tary conditions are imperfect, nj
stems should be taken to reme'
them. Bacteria are also agenci
of. disease, and find lodgme
under filthy conditions. SAINT
ton demands that every preca
S ton should be taken in the cases
infectious diseases, that the spread
disease germs be prevented. Ia
even case of tuberculosis. or CO
sumption, and it is fully believed tn
IL the matter expectorated is not d
posed of by being elected into wat
and then buried, but, as is sometin
~ the case. be elected upon the fio'
: even in minutest quantitiea, 1t &C
tains the germs Of the disease, viii
when dried and disintegrated may
taken up by the atmosphere, and TO
ing therein find Judgment, by inha
tion, In the passages OF the lunl
pnd thus generste new case OF
disease.
Sanitation has advanced far beyo
the mere suppression of these gros
nuisances which conspicuously offe
the senses; the deadly maladl
fvphoid fever, cholera. consumpti
a., DO not announce thsiy presence