The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1898-04-09
HEALTH MEETING.
IMPROVED SANITATION MOVE
MGNT IN ELKTON.
The Permanent Organization Of Local
Health Association viii Be Effected
on Monday Night Next.


Elkton was held on Tuesday evening in
Council liuil, and whirh several lady resi-
den's attended,, the ooieat being tho organi-
zaton of II local Health Association.
Mrs. l.. NJ Haincs, George A. Blake and
George Il Ash were appointed Il COMMITTEES
on permanent organization, and viii report
on Monday evening next, april II. in Couh-
ell Hail. at s O'Clock.
Although not largely attended the meeting
on Tuesday night was not lacking in interest
and it is the general opinion that the f5Uu-
dation for Il very material improvrm N, in
the sanitary condition of Elkton has been
laid
PURPOSE or THE MEETING.
Upon calling the meeting to order Local
Organizer Ash outlined the Intention Of the
Maryland Association, which is a voluntary
organizaticn. that if was to arouse Interest
in Elkton ia sanitary matters and hay" the
local organization act IN support Of the Elk
ton Town Council i'll enforcing and securing
the framing OF health ordinances. George
A. Blake was called to act rs chairman and
v VI. Torhrrt is secretary.
PAPER Ii HEALTH OFFICER BRArroN.
Local Health Officer DR.. Howard Bratton
read the following treatise upon sanitation
in Elkton:
Many diseases, particularly those which
occur in epidemic form, are known or sup
posed to be caused by minute living organ
isms Every case is traceaNe 10 some pre-
ceding case of some one who suffered from
the same disease. Unless tn" specific germ
is present you will not suffer from the specific
disease. collections Of nIth are harmful in
two ways-they lessen the vitality Of people
in the neishborhood and they net a. deposit
tories for disease breeding germs to flourish
and multiply in them.
There are in the economy of nature two
kinds OF bacteria, the harmful ones and the
scavengcrs. The bacteria Of the upper layers
of the earth are the mortal enemies Of the
disease-pcariug bacteria. The earth purillcs
Itself after mans pollution through the
agency Of these countless hosts 0! living
organisms. There Is an unceasing conflict
going on in the bacterial world. The scayan-
gers essay not only TO dispose OF the tllth by
chemical change, but to get away with the
disease-boaring germs as well. II there was
not such Il provision a, this, the human race
would long since nave been extinct.
There are limitations to the powers Of the
friendly bacteria. Prevent undue aocumu-
lations OF human and animal waste and give
them reasonable amount Of sunshine and
ordinary dryDess and they can be depended
upon to DO thoir part. II we break up the
habitat OF these disease bearing bacteria we
will not suffer from them, nor can amy ep-
demic make material headway against local
cleanliness. But pile Nth upon Nth, year
after year. in season and out Of season. to
the snturaton Of soil undrgined, and the
nitriiyng bacteria, cvermastered and dc.
stroyed. are no longer able TO work out their
own and our salvation. 1t is simply a case
OF impeding rather than aiding our allies.
We take it for granted TINT no ono will dis
pute the casual relationship existing between
filth aud disease; then, il these so-calicd filth
dieases are prevailing they are prlma-'Hcie
evidence Of tho existence Of tho influences
which produce them.
1t is the causes of the deaths and the ossas
by praveutlbe deaths which particularly
concern us. OF this character there were 10
during the last nine months.
Suppose these deaths had all occurred from
several different causes and Ia different parts
of the town but all in ono month, would not
this have set the people to thinking? Again,
suppose they had all occurred from several
different causes, extending over nine months
but all upon one short street, would not that
have caused the eyes Of somebody to be
opened? Further. suppose they had all
occurred in different parts Of the town, OK
tCndinc over nino months, but all from one
disease, would not this have occasonrd con
siderable comment? Would not either of
these contingencies separately have caused
some Investigation? Let us combine these
contingencies and suppose they had all
occurred in the same month, say September,
upon one short street, gay Bow street, and
from one cause, say typhoid fever would not
this have caused wide prcRd consternation
and demand for something of preventive
nature to be done?
because they are strung out over nine
months in different localities. and from
different causes, our menace is none the less
imminent and our losses are none the less
disastrous.
What work s there for n health association
in this community to do?
1t has been shown on former occasions that
the ordinances OF the town are radically de-
fective in that the remedial activities succeed
rather than preccde the consequent damage.
A united effort will cause them to be wiped
off the hooks and secure the enactment Of
efficient ordinances.
I am aware Of the TACT that it is difficult to
enforce the observance of sanitary regula-
tions by law ana that the measures must be
instructive rather than punitive. But II
public cleanliness was public charge there
would be little chance for individual fines.
As we must take the world as it is, and not
as it ought to be, there is room Tor consider
able missionary effort OF an educational
character which is the main object OF public
health association.
1t is true that the law is powerless without
the intelligent cooperation OF the many; but
1t Is equally true that instruction and persua-
sion will not affect the particular class which