New-York tribune., 1900-08-12
MANILA SANITATION.
SUPERSTITION OF THE NATIVES A GREAT
DRAWBACK TO IT.

Manila June IS CSpeciaD-If accounts OF Manila
differ in particulars. there is one upon which
there is no possibility Of a difference of opinion
the ubiquitous dirt and filth. It Will be readily un-
derstood that the Board of Health has had more
difficulties TO contend with than most of the city
departments The work of getting the city in a
thoroughly sanitary condition is work OF years
ten fifteen at least. II would be real blessing
the three hundred thousand residents of Manila
If a few more thousand nipa huts were to meet
with the fate their FIVE thousand predeces-
sors in the Tondo fire OF course, they would grow
up again like mushrooms. but certain restrictions
might be imposed 10 advantage, and the health OF
the city would be much improved.
There IS no system Of sewerage In the city, with
the exception of a feeble attempt at one in the
walled city. This is of primitive character. and
all the refuse is carried into the moat which en-
tirely surrounds the wall, while the wall entirely
surrounds this portion OF the city. From certain
point Of view there is nothing more picturesque IN
this part Of the world than that old wall Of mason
~. massive TO convey an idea of immutabihty.
with its ancient sallyports and dungeons, the
beautiful grays of fits stone softened by and blend
ing into the moss which its top. and at its
base the ancient moat. whose stagnant waters are
filed with a rank growth of vegetation, hiding
heaven knows what. For many years this moat
has lain undsturbed, and the general opinion has
been that when its contents investigated there
would rage over Manila pestilences of every va
riety. There will be other ghastly finds there be-
sides those Of the germs of fever There have been
expert opinions advanced to different methods
Of attacking the moat with safety, but notwith-
standing the expertness of these most Americans
here would prefer to have the experiment made
while they are at a considerable distance from the
Philippine captain Japan, for instance; Hong
Kong TO those who have some idea of the history
Of the moat. is too near.
CLEAN IN ONE REGARD.
The most serious problem which confronts the
Board Of Health in Manila Is the seeming inability
of the citizens grasp the first principles of
itary living As regards personal cleanliness there
is much be said in praise of the natives. You
never pass by canal or river without being able
TO count a number of native bathers. The small
children dispense with any garment whatever. while
the women wear one that is destined for the wash.
The men dress or not according 10 their individual
taste. The family wash is done under these cir
cumstances. the various members of the family
often lending hand. There are wayside fountains
throughout the city and these universally used
for bathing purposes, mOdesty being often sacri-
feed it must be admitted, the altar of clean-
ness. The natives that you meet in the street al
ways look clean and this includes the clothes that
they wear. No matter how low the grade of So
ciety which they belong. il is the rule. not the
exception to with clean shirt tails stream
ing out behind and the women with fresh Ca
nisas" and 'panuelos." generally OF much washed
and much mended "cenemi.'
Unfortunately this personal cleanliness-which
has no connection with the hot water of civiliza-
dwellings and the disposition OF refuse. The large
population is crowded into a comparatively small
district, large families dwelling contentedly under
a rooftree of small dimensions. This will have to
be changed. too. before Manila be healthy
Smallpox, which has always been prevalent here.
Is never epidemic because there are so many i'm
munes and owing to the efforts of the health Of
ficers il has been pretty well stamped in Ma
Mia. The natives do not dread the disease, and
object 10 having il Isolated. Leprosy is found all
through the island and the people pay n at
tention than If il an ordinary skin disease
Lepers may often be seen-though not in Manila
in the midst of a crowd of people who push up
against them Familiarity, seeming to have no dread
Of conta gion.
FAITH IN IMAGES.
Perhaps one reason Of the general ignorance of
and Indifference 10 sanitary laws is the pervadng
superstition The system is simple enough; what
is understood is put under the head Of the
miraculous. II a plague epidemic ragged a nat
ural cause not thought Of il was manifesto
tion Of the wrath of God, and propitiation was
necessary number of sacred images served as
religious buffers, go betweens, and instead of
finding a remedy the cleaning OF the CITY these
holy relics appealed
The patron saint and protector of Manila IS to be
seen in the Franciscan church in the walled CITY
and is called san Francisco de las Lagrimas for the
this wonderful image resided in the house Of a