The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1896-09-05
FARMER AND PLANTER.
FARM SANITATION.

FARM SANITATION.
Some Reasons why There Ii More Sick
moss In the Country than In the Towns In
Proportion to the Population.
Why is it, for it is true, that there is
more sickness in proportion to popula-
ton in the country than in the towns?
Certainly the natural advantages OF
the country are superior to those OF
towns. The pure air, the fresh and
wholesome food and the exhilarating
influence of nature in her best moods
ought to promote the health and
longevity, and yet, people in the
crowded cities, surrounded with un.
mentionable filth, and breathing an
atmosphere laden with the exhalations
of sewers, garbage and the inevitable
accumulations of dense population
of men and animals, ENJOY better
health than those who breathe the
pure air of the rural districts. 1t
should be known that there are other
factors Of this problem besids the air
we breath, the water we drink and the
food we eat. 1t should also be known
that comfort has much to do with the
health of the body. A delicate and
costly piece of machinery must be well
cared for or it soons becomes eaten OF
rust. clogged with dust and unservic-
able before half its natural term of
usefulness has expired. The human
body is the most fearfully and won
derfully made of all machines, and
should have better care than any mere
inanimate piece of mechanism. Just
here is where country peopie-farmers
are at fault They treat their bodies
as though they could never wear out
They expose themselves to rain and
sun, unnecessarily; they will tramp
through the dewy grass until wet to
the knees, and trust to time to evap-
crate the superfuous moisture; they
will labor in the hottest sun, without
even the convenient protection OF
damp towel in the hat; on account OF
inadequate provision for stock they
must be up on stormy nights to remedy
the neglect of q more suitable time;
they often go without clothing suited
to the exigencies of the weather, while
umbrellas, slickers and rubber boots
are cheaper than pills and powders.
All farmers should have the best OF
food, prepared in the most wholesome,
appetizing and digestible manner. II
is equally true that many of them dc
have these things in their best con-
dition; but it is equally true that a
large majority do not, and many live
chiefly on bacon and bread, with, per-
haps, some turnips and cabbage In
season, with strong coffee as their
chief beverage. Through a mistaken
idea of economy they deprive them
selves of the most salutary products OF
the orchard and garden, that they may
have an additional bale or two of cot
ton to sell SO they can settle with the
doctor and the druggist. A large ma
| jority of farm houses are constructed
apparently with the sole view of keep
ing out rain with the least possible
consumption Of material, often single
walls, without ceiling or plastering
through which the north wind flicker
the kerosene lamp and chills the in
mate on one side, while the huge oper
| fire scorches the clothes on the other
fruitful cause of pneumonias, pleuri
ries and other acute diseases of tn,
respiratory apparatus. People wh'
live in towns can breathe the fou
air with apparent immunity and ca
the stale food without serious conse
quences, because they are comfort
ably housed and comfortably clad, ant
| can command more wholesome varie
ty of food, which is usually better pre-
pared for the table, for hotels and res
taurants must have at least tolerabl
cooks. There are other factors tina
tend in the same direction, but we di
not start out to exhaust the subject
and in conclusion will say that farm
ers have in their power to take as goo
care of their bodies as is necessary t
perfect health. Unfavorable exposure
may be shorn Of all their danger by
little proper preparation. 1t is bette
to build smaller house, and have
comfortable; the orchard and garde
and poultry yard should be LIBERAL
patronized; and in short more labo
and money should be spent for bodil
comfort and less for drugs and dot
tors visits.-Farm and Ranch.
DEATH TO HORSES.