The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1897-07-24

tallow-rendering places are in operation in
the town by the open-kettle method: that
there are no funeral laws or notification OF
infectious diseases.
In the case of the disposition of night soil
he suggested that the town conduct the system
of making the disposition ut regular intervals,
and that the property owners so served be
taxed pro rata amount sufficient to defray
the expenses of the work, this could also
include the carting away of garbage.
DR.. Ellis Suggestions.
DR.. Ellis said: 1 was not aware that this
meeting was to take place tonight until after
it had convened. When I came in DR.. Fulton
was talking to you of the methods of feeal
collection. recommending the pail system as
best applicable to our present needs No one
can doubt that the water closet is the best
method of disposing of feces. but this requires
Il sufficient water supply, good system of
sewers, aud available means of dsposing of
sewage. Elkton is admirably adapted for
such Il system by its topography and it is
readily available to us if we can stand the
cost of it. But in my Judgment, the great
cost stands AS II barrier to us, because the
problem OF draining the parts of the town
lying between High street and the railroad
involves the main part of the expense: no
system being valuable to us chat does not
make that part Of the town safe. for here the
elements Of danger abound and the value of
the property is the least. The cost of intro
durlng water closets will exceed the value of
| many Of the properties. If this bonrd has
tn" power to abolish privies ald substitute
water closets, it is doubtful if it can he
exercised.
SO far therefore as this part of the town is
concerned. it is clear to my mind that the
pail system is in our present condition, the
only method available. Moreover, it is efficient
and can be put in operation without delay
and at the minimum Of cost. Every indi-
vidual property can be compelled to equip
itself with the regulation pail or box. and
the regular collection will be matter of
small cost, the cost diminishing as the eyper-
ience Of the scavengers grow. The total cost
to the town should not exceed 5000 a wear.
Two men, Il horse and cart is the equipment.
clean pail displaces the used one, and the
sale of the compost reduces the cost, In
some towns in England the compost not only
pays the entire expense, it actually returns a
profit to the municipality. Other parts of the
town can be sewaged. hut the sewer system
must be ample for storm water, and the first
step to be taken is to get possession of the
town water works. l consider the first step
absolutely necessary. We can have no sewer
system without public ownership of the pub.
lie water supply, for the reason that any
sewer system necessarily involves the neces-
sity of flushing, and this requires a very
great amount Of water.
That some radical change is necessary is
seen In our mortality. | had intended if
had had earlier notice of the date of this meet
ing, to have made some Investigation into the
facts OF our recent mortality. Failing in this
must revert to former experience in the
years lSS3-4-5. | found at that time that our
mortality was actually 40 to the 1000 living
population-a most alarming ratio! Three
times that of the city of London, double that
of Baltimore, and exceeding the mortality of
he most unhealthy city in America New
Orleans. | very much fear that n critical
inquiry wound develop the fact that our
mortality has not improved over that OF ten
years since, for the conditions that deter
mine it have rathor been aggravated than
improved BY far the greater part of this
mortality is chargeabie to the ''tendcrlio y
north Of High street. to the habitations, if
such they can be called near the ais house.
and around the margin OF the marshes.
The better parts OF the town are as free
from disease as other well located towns.
Nor is this high mortality peculiar to Elkton.
| believe that it exists in all Southern towns
where the population is largely composed of
negroes The study OF the mortality of Mary
land villages is growing need, and although
it will disclose some disagreeable facts the
publicity can only work eventual good.
The existence of so large a population
under such conspicuously unsanitary condi-
tons as prevail in that part of the town SO
often referred to, is u distinct threat to the
whole community, for which it acts as a breed
ing place of septic and other poisons The
danger does not express itself in adult NOR
tality of definite diseases. but in the great
infant mortality, the feeble youth, the degen-
crate adult life and especially in the great
prevalence of tuberculous diseases. In city
mortality the death rate OF typhoid fever
forms fairly approximate estimate of the
prevalence of septic diseases. | do not think
it an available standard for testing the preya-
lence OF septic conditions in village hre-it
underestimates it. / think tuberculosis n
better and truer measure of these conditions,
There is fact that should always be borne
in mind, namely, that population constantly
and for many years exposed to septic inau-
ences, polluted soil, water and air, acquire
certainty immunity against outbreaks Of
fifth diseases. of which typhoid fever is the
best type, but develop general constitutional
feebleness and degeneracy that leads to
vicious lives and early deaths. On the other
hand the most perfect living under the most
salubrious conditions gives no manner of
protection against septic influences. | am
rather OF the opinion that it makes such lives
more susceptible to these morbiac agencies.
l feel quite sure that certain deaths from
acute tuberculosis and pneumonia occurring
in families of unexceptional environment,
and which have greatly shocked the CON-
munit5, have had their origin in exposure to
the putiferous infiuenoe af tbaea an, I,a,i