The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-01-26
IDEAS for d5Un1uen.

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A few years ago an epidemic Of dis
ease was suppose to be a visitation.
or a Judgment" n prayers were Of
Tered up that it's progress might be stayed.
Nowadays when individuals or ~neighbor-
moods are attacked with typhus fever,
diphtheria, or any of the long range OF
malarial disorders, there is an immediate
inquiry as to the condition of that house
or that neighborhood, and the disease is
traced to It's source of rotten vegetation,
putrid filth, foul air, bad drainage, or
some other of the uncleanly causes of zy-
motto disease.
For this advance we have to thank
physiology and sanitary science but
1t will not help Us much to know d thing
unless wesact upon our knowledge. 1t
will not get rid of the causes of disease
to know what those causes are unless
we go vigorously to work to counterfeit
them.
1t has been ascertained now beyond
a doubt that infectious, disease is pri-
marily occasioned by living germs-that
these germs have their origin in dirt.
overcrowding, bad air, putrid vegetation,
imperfect drainage and like conditions.
1t makes no difference whether those
conditions are found in tenement house,
cottage or palace in the streets of the
city or the green lanes of the country,
the result is the same-it is sickness and
death.
1t is not entirely a gratifying thing to
lazy, irresponsible people to find that
health and the best conditions for liv-
ing useful and reasonably happy lives
are within their own power. and that
they are responsible for their fulfill
ment. 1t is so much easier to keep on
in the old 4 to pile up refuse, to
let the drainage go, to build a house
like a soap box and transfer the con-
sequences to the shoulders of Provi-
dence. 6s.
: But It Is too late to do this now; Provi-
dence has beenAmade responsible for the
results of our shortcomings long
enough, science has discovered that
they are within our control, and that it
is our business first to discover what
the laws are that govern health and
disease, and then adapt ourselves and
800 S1S-toA(CS ~ IAS-OUAASdlioAS lac
impose. .sH As
There is no occasion, in the nature of
things, for people to be born diseased,
or to die prematurely. "A pure ana
temperate life. amid healthy surround
ings, and IN a healthy location, are fair
guarantees for a green old age.
Houses that may become empty may be-
come fever breeders when they come to
be RECOGNIZED. An English sanitary off,
Ger alleges hat he has observed typhoid
d~iphtheria and other zymotic affections
to arise. under these circumstances. The
cause is supposed to be in the disuse of
the cisterns, pipes, drains. etc., and the
process of putrefacticn going on In the
impure air In them; and the unobstruct-
ed access of this air to the house while
the closure of windows and doors, eff
fectually shuts out pure fresh air.
Those who are responsible for homes
cannot be too careful of the health of
the inmates. Good health in a house
hold is more to be considered than
sunptuous upholstery. elegant dinners
or expensive table service. Beauty should
be and Is consistent with comfort and
perfect safety In the house.
Yet. how often are these safeguards
neglected either through thoughtlessness
or the, erase to be fashionable. Many
homes are positively dangerous. though
beautiful In appearance Built on
swanpy ground. shut in by trees and
hedges. everything is damp and chill
about then.. Fungus growth flourish on
TIE roof and sides of the house, and even
In the cellar. In such houses it is not
surprising tina there are frequent epi4
denies; and that common colds are as
prevalent as storms
It should -he remembered that we need
sunshine as well as the plants, and its
subtle tonic has a wonderful curative
mental ailments.asIt pierces into the Sc
cret corners Of our homes, deodorizes
foul rlaees. kills disease germs and
brings health, life and joy on its beams.
Our windows are not designed for the
display of the Upholsterer's art, as many |
housewives seem to suppose, but to give
the fresh air and sunshine free access
to our homes.
Sometimes the walls of rooms are |
themselves disease breeders. Even when
the paper itself is free from poison. The
paste with which It is put on affords an
excellent home for the minute organisms |
which produce certain diseases. Often
the danger is multiplied by paper being |
repeatedly laid over the old layers
of paste and paper. This should never be
done. When new paper is put on, the old
should be torn off, and the walls ~eIeans-l
ed. The dadoes of our .forefathers' time, |
washed and secured as they were by the
careful housewife could be happily reviv- |
ed: and the housewives of the present