Savannah courier. (Savannah, Tenn.) 1885-1979, 1895-11-28


For each minute cerebral chink.
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 death-producers in
the world 1890
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
hive, infectious diseases take 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 vegeta-
Bile 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 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 a 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
ronndeding filth.
Twenty years ago the state board
of health of Massachusetts, made a
searching and thorough examination
into the condition of health and causes
of sickness in farmers families OF that
state, and derived the following con-
illusions:
''As regards longevity, they are Sec
ond to no class or community.
Farmers wives are not as longliped
rs their husbands.
''The chief causes of sickness are:
First, overwork and exposure, the
women being more 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
to 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-
sets 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-
port referred to was made. If, then, as
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 lodgment
under filthy conditions. Santa
tion demands that every precau.
tion should be taken in the cases oil
infectious diseases, that the spread Of
disease germs be prevented. Take
even case of tuberculosis, or con
sumption, and it is fully believed that
If the matter expectorated is not dis
posed of by being elected into water
and then buried, but, as is sometimes
the case, be elected upon the floor
even in minutest quantities, it con-
tains the germs of the disease, which
when dried and disintegrated may be
taken up by the atmosphere, and float.
ing therein find Judgment, by inhala.
ton, in the passages of the lungs
and thus generate new case of the
disease.
Sanitation has advanced far beyond
the mere suppression of these grossel
nuisances which conspicuously Offend
the senses; the deadly maladies
typhoid fever, cholera, consumption
etc, do not announce their presence t.
their victims by appreciable signals
until they have succeeded in passing
the guards and gaining possession o
the citadel. They do not herald thei
approach by any impression on tn,
sense of sight, smell, taste or touch
but they silently enter, intrench them
selves in the vitals, and begin thei
fatal work before the consciousness o
their presence.
Cleanliness is the foundation upoI
which the structure of health is to b.
erected. and which has wiped ava.
many fearful scourges. So unless farm
homes are cleansed in every respect
and well-ventilated drains proper.