The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-02-02
A BAD PRACTICE.
e Editor of The Post.

10 the Editor of The Post.
mere should he a persistent crusade
started against the harmful nractico ~,
| eNpFc'orating on the foot pavement az m,
slreets' as wen as on the floors Of nuhiic
buildings ard convevances
~ " wei known fact that the saliva
/ OF infected people contains miIlions NJ
SPECIFIC germs. which are entirely c.r.,.1a
| OF reproducing the disease In whomsoevo,
| 'loN lodge Gnon. and II Is plainly ia ha
seen day by day that much Of this infect
/ cd material is wiped m hy the skirts or
Iaai's' also It clngs to the shoes Of thn
1907 passengers In its damp state. and Is
carried into their homes, there TO drv and
| poWhNr and rise in the form Of dust and
he disseminated inNthe air throughout he
city. '''0'' '''e
This is admittedly one of the commonest
means Of spreading broadcast the seeds
of disease.
IT you could point out to the general
public the danger which really lurlts n,
this filthy practice. and inaurura n9 =, n
campaign to curtail, and. If possible, to
| entirely squelch the dirty custom You
| would confer great favor to humanity
at large and to the ladies' In particular.
The health authorities ara usually em-
powered to regulate the condition Of tho
public health.
Thus the" can. If they Will, forbid. un
der penalty, the casting upon the public
thorouEhfares Of refuse or anything else
which Is or may become detrimental 10
health. They have the power to control or
supervise, from the standpoint or public
sanitation. the condition Of public thor-
oughfares, vehicles used by the public
places for public assemhlages. etc. and
in the interest Of public welfare their
power Is often plenary to enter upon pr-
vate property and say TO the individual
citizen; You shall do this IN such a man
ner as not to intiire the health of your
neichbor, and Won shall not do that which
may spread disease and death The health
authorities could and should wage vigor-
Gus warfare against this revolving custom
They possess tho power and they should
use II. Let them report 1t to the munich
pal powers ns a nuisance which menaees
the general health. and have orders pro-
mulgated and enforced which will oblige
the people to stop It under n fixed penalty.
Transportation companies should he re-
quired TO maintain the public vehicles
and their stations free Of such infectious
material Theaters hotels and other
places OF public congregation should be
obliged 10 purify and keep pure I'm this
respect every part Of their premises. Vio-
lations of such requirements should be
made expensive enough to prompt pro-
prietors to comply with the regulations
prescribed by the health powers as mat
ter of economy. rather than to neglect
them All proprietors OF public places
should be Obliged to adhere TO the rules,
together with all employees and patrons.
If splitting on the foot pavement stair
ways. cars. etc, were included IN the list
OF recorn.acd nuisances and tho municipal
police ordered to take cognizance of such
offense on the spot. and have the commit
tor punished by fine. we believe, In truth.
that tho disgusting and infectious custom
would be rapidly abatcd. There would of
a certainty be less disease germs anoat
In the air we breathe. Reader.