The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-03-13
DRAIN THE LOWLANDs.
Sanitary boards Appeal to the
County Commissioners.


The Sanitary Board took decisive action
at it's recent meeting in reference to the
important question Of the drainage Of the
lowlands around the city in advance of
the summer season.
Resolutions were adopted and ordered
sent 10 the County Commissioners, and the
officials of the Central Railroad and the
Plant System.
The following is the text of the resolu-
ton with regard to work by the county
authorities in the neighborhood of the
city:
Whereas We are in danger of suffering
from malarial fevers and other dangerous
diseases on account of the large area of
low and undraiued lands east, south and
west of the city, be it
Resolved, That the honorable the Com
missioners of Chatham county be request
ed TO use all the available convict force
of the county 10 drain all the low lands
nearest the city, and extend this drainage
two miles from the extended limits of this
this city, the most pressing work near the
city TO be completed before the first of
May next.
A resolution was adopted requiring Su-
periniendent Durham of the Plant system
to put the entire property of that corpora
tlon lying cast of the city in a thorough
sanitary condition by drainage and filling
before May ], If possible.
A similar resolution was adopted request
ing the president of the Central Railway
to put the property of that corporation
next to the city and the Ogeechee canal
In a good sanitary condition by drainage
or otherwise before May l.
The health officer was authorized to pur-
chase apparatus with which to analyze
milk at a cost not to exceed $40.
Health Officer LeHardy, in his monthly
report TO the board, gave an interesting ac-
count of his recent visit to the Gulf ports.
which were afflicted by yellow fever last
summer and fall. He attributes the prev
alence of the fever chiefly to the unsani-
tary condition of the cities affected, ard
notes particularly that dengue fever pre-
vailed extensively at Ocean Springs, New
Orleans and other places for some time
before yellow fever appeared. The fever
was of such a mild type, he says, that
many cases were not attended by ply
stefan, and it is certain that a great many
of the so-called yellow fever cases were
never reported to the authorities.
DIR. LeHardy gave considerable attention
in his report to the large fruit trade en-
joyed by New Orleans Galveston and Mo-
bile, under an arrangement by which ply
sicians are maintained at the fruit ports,
the cities sharing in the expense in pro-
portion to their irnports. The system has
proven 80 effective that not a single case
OF yellow fever has occurred on any of the
fruit vessels and the cargoes are brought
up to the city with but little delay. DR..
LeHardy is anxious that Savannah should
enter into this arrangement with the cit
les named. He also notes that at Calves
ton, New Orleans and Mobile clean rock
ballast is brought up 10 the respective cities
and is used for filling in lowlands.
He urges the desira bihty OF having an
analysis made of the city's water supply
as it evidently holds considerable solid
matter in solution and apparently vege
table matter also, judging from the often
sive odor from water left standing for
any length of time.