The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-09-27
THE DOCTORS TALK.
Good Effect.

| Good E0ects
| TO the Editor Of The Post.
Looking at the subject from purely
selfish standpoint Houston can be con-
graduated on being near TO district IN
which yellow fever exists. It has had
wonderful effect In stirring up our people
to the necessity OF living In more SANITARY
surroundings. Weeds are no longer iooAed
upon as q necessary part OF growing
city. Our plumbing laws are no longer
viewed merely ae an ornament to our ciey
charter. and the day is past when garbage
is thought to give picturesque appear
anoe to our avenues.
All this is good and 1t Is to be hoped tnat
the effect of this scare will be to make
these views permanent 10 :he minds and
habits Of our people.
or course, II Is not To- be expected that
a system without faults can be inaugurated
In day. Our city council deserves creait
for the measure OF success they have at
tanned. and 1t is not critically but sug-
gestively that wish to mention the man
ner In which the house to house inspec-
ton Is being conducted. do not person
ally know any OF the inspectors or what
their regular occupation IL. out from what
has come to my personal knowledge l
would suggest 10 the mayor that great
care should be taken In the selection OF
men whose labors are 20 important and
necessary TO the public henltn.
There are several premises OF which
have Knowledge which haze recently been
inspected. In one Main street residence
the inspector had examined the yard, which
was moderately clean. and allowed 1t to
pass with the single instruction 10 throw
4 little lime around. Under the house was
O 6-inch open connection to the sewer, al
lowing sewer gas TO flow freely through
the flooring Into the home. In another
residence the outside premises had bsen
examined and few weeds ordered cut.
The bath room inside the house was not
examined. Here was an open cor nection
TO the sewer four inches in diameter to
which had been connected n waste. pipe at
some time. These are but two OF many
cases--there are scores OF broken connsc-
lions to sewers noticeable throughout the
city.
III the regular occupation OF these in
spectors is not connected with sanitary
matters 1t Is impossible that they would
recognize the far greater necessity for
curing such evils as th4se than cutting
down weeds or covering I'D ldmber heaps
with lime.
-
paving competent sanitary inspectors who
are acquainted with the science of ssr.itary
plumbing and sowerng and ,iho are thor
onghly acquainted with our city ordnance
regulating such matters
There is little or no danger In weeds;
there is great danger In improperly con-
nected sewers. Chattanooga several years
aso completed a splendid sewer system,
and In consequence Of not having proeer
inspection and not having a law regulate
ing the tapping and trapping OF the sew
ers. this splendid sewer system Of yes
terday Is today simply dangerous dis.
case breeding canal, ramlfying the whole
city with Its dangerous gases, which find
Tree access into It's homes and uublIc
buildings. Chattanooga is not alone. blt
she has seen her mistake AMI is piying
the proper attention to sanitary meas
ures which all cities should do.
Medical science accepts the gem tboorv
OF disease and pronounces tho reckless
careless ard ignorant disposal of tho I'M.
man eSfrementary produces rs us mos
prolific source. 1t is necessary tnat Inv
Dc quickly removed. The Under. anna
sewer Is the safest and quickest meas ~
our disposal but how necsi.ary it bsrun .s
mat such connections sholid b, exap,,rsd
9y competent examiners VIII, can ;ell tho
olnerenee between unsanitsry and ,anjtsrv
WORK Respectfully yours, laL'