The record-union., 1899-11-26
SANITATION OF THEATERS.

SANITATION OF THEATERS.
A thoughtful writer in the Popular
Science Monthly calls attention to the
need Of supervision of theaters and pub
lie halls, because as he asserts-and we
are convinced that he is correct in his
conclusion-not one theater in ten Is
it is the cost Of properly cleaning a.
large theater is very considerable The
managers, therefore. are inclined to get
along with mere sweeping and possibly
an occasional washing out But as
theaters more than any other places
gather frequent audiences, exceedingly
mixed in character, the public has
right to have these houses thoroughly
cleansed and ventilated, and in the very
best manner.
Both performers and auditors have
but the municipal authorities can
guard, as against the neglect or reck-
lessness Of proprietors. These large
auditoriums, with their circles, many
seats, narrow isles and innumerable
hooks and corners and half under
ground rooms, are exceedingly inviting
for the seeds of disease. All manner
of people visit and spend some hours
daily in them. 1t will be readily seen,
therefore, that they are receptacles for
a very large amount Of human waste.
Even the walls of these houses gather
from the breath of thousands Of people
a degree of waste that is dangerous.
In the matter of ventilation very few
theaters are sufficiently supplied with
pure air, and very few are properly
aired and cleansed after performances.
People will flock to the theater when
there are attractive plays and other en-
tertainments, though they may know
that these places are not properly
cleansed or with sufficient frequency.
Who shall enforce the necessary
Educational authorities are, as a rule.
excee dinghy exacting in requiring school
houses to be we'll ventilated and thor
oughly and very frequently cleansed. 1t
goes without saying that similar super
vision in the interest of the public
health is necessary for other buildings
in which the general public assemblies.
Society has a right to demand that
theaters sacrifice, if need be, something
of exterior and interior gorgeousness
for the paramount comfort and health
of the people who are induced to visit
the auditoriums of playhouses. Mr..
Gerhard thinks that If the public would
show a preference for the well-cleaned
and ventilated theater the corrective
would soon be applied in the cases OF
others But the public will not do
this thing It will do as it always has
take the chances. But society organizes
in municipal forms for the very pur-
pose of increased comfort and safety.
The public health Is really the chief
concern Of municipal government 1t
is the prime and foremost considera-
ton in any municipality. 1t Is mani
fest in the attention given to supply
ing good water, in maintaining proper
drainage in efficient sewer systems, in
quarantining contagious diseases, and
generally in enforcing cleanliness
where there is congested population.
Health Boards, however, as is well
known give but little attention to the
sanitation of public resorts. The cheap
theaters are the greater offenders
against sanitary laws. Some of those
in San Francisco, for instance, are
known to be occupied every night in
the week the year round by from 1,OOU
to 5000 people. 1t is impossible to
cleanse such places as they should be
in the short interval between perform
ances and rehearsals.
That the subject should be taken uo
as 1t now is by scientific and sanitary
journals betokens, let us hope, reform
in the matter, for we are convinced,
and long have been, that there is to be
laid at the door of the buildings in
which large congregations gather daily
great deal of human physical Ill that
may be prevented, just as sanitary sci
ence has prevented the spread of dis
ease in other directions.