The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1900-05-01
Microbes and street sweeping.

OF all the branches of scientific
research none is prosecuted with a
more tireless persistency or greater
results than that Of the microbe
hunters. In the nineteenth century
he achievements OF the microscope
nave been OF far more value to man
kind than those of the telescope. 1t
is true that millions OF people have
been more or less distressed by re-
peated announcements OF the dis
covery Of innumerable microbes in
various foods and drinks IN common
Use, but it is also true that micros-
,opical Investigation has been a
powerful promoter OF progress in
medical and sanitary science.
The latest of the disturbing re-
ports from microbe hunters comes in
the shape of statements by the In
stitute Of Hygiene of Fribourg that
street sprinkling is a source of pro-
sperity to bacteria. 1t is asserted as
result of carefully Investigation
that microbes are hundred per
cent more numerous, and incompara.
bly, more robust and agile, in dust
that is moist from sprinkling, or for
any other cause, than in dry dust 1t
appears that water applied to make
the street dust stay in its place faci
litates the development OF the bact-
eria contained in the dust and rest.
ores vitality to dormant members of
the community.
A gram-15,432 grains tory-of
dust contained, in its normal state,
1,893,000 bacteria. After it had been
kept moist 4 days gram-presuma
bly, the same dust-contained 2,2l1,-
500 bacteria. We suppose this
census was not an actual count Of
Northumberland as Chicago, St.
Paul, and Minneapolis always insist
upon-but careful estimate sufi.
GENTLY accurate for practical pur-
pose. But let us go on with the
figures. 1t is stated that 26 days
after the dust was moistened the
number of bacteria was found to
have decreased to 37,250, but when
this then dry dust was again mois.
tened the number was increased to
1888.
The Chicago Tribune, and antici.
pating that the bicyclists, who are,
for obvious reasons, opposed to
street sprinkling, will be calling the
attention of municipal authorities
to the results of these French ex-
periments, heads off the movements,
very affectually.
1t calls attention to the fact
that while the laid dust contains the
largest number of bacteria, yet those
in the dry dust are more dangerous,
for the wind catches it and blows it
on the unfortunate pedestrians,
while the wet dust remains in the
street. Therefore the Tribune con.
cludes that street sprinklng need
not be abolished on archaeological
grounds.
One of the greatest discomforts
of urban life arises from the neces.
sity of stirring up the dust and the
filth OF the streets. Street sweeping
by machines produces an intolera-
BILE dust unless the sprinkler goes in
advance OF the sweeper In that
case it produces an unbsarable odor.
Coming into city from the country
on a warm night when the sweeping
machines are at work is trying or
deal to persons whose gastric an
atomy and nerves are not stencil
proof. Any feasible plan for min
imiziDg this nuisance-any method
Of cleaning streets that would do
away with dust clouds and vile vap.
or baths and not bankrupt the tag
be great beneiac-
ton, alike promotive of health and