Sunday Washington globe., 1901-12-29
DANGER OF INFECTION
From the Discharged Inmates Of the
Jail-NO Soap Allowed Prisoners,
Mr. Magill Offers a Humane
Suggestion In the Interests
of Public Health.

Editor SUNDAY Globe:
In your edition of December %, 1901, you
make inquiry, care there no humane peo-
pie at the Nations Capital?" In answer,
will acquaint you of this fact My first
move on receipt of my books from the
printer was to buy stamps and mail a book
to cabinet ministers, judges, newspapers,
prominent ministers of the different re-
ligions--in fact, to every one that thought
might prove humane This was on October
25-iust two months ago. What resultF
Nothing Judging from the naction OF the
residents and officials fthis Nations Capt.
tai City in regard to the matter, and real
izing that the humane part Of their eompo-
sition is at the extreme end of their tongue,
from which it rolls continuously, but only
to evaporate, calls for some other action in
this matter Suppose we try to prove that
the conditions existing in the District Of
Columbia Jail eutitle it to be called the
tuberculosis Propagating Plant of the
District of Columbia" With very few ex-
cephOns the prisoners confined there are
Washingtonians and, upon release, live and
mingle with the residents, to a certain ex-
tent; they ride in closed cars, go to the
theaters, expectorate, ETC., etc. With con-
ditions such as are disclosed, and mot con-
tradicted, " it would justify the assertion
that those very conditions are allowed to
remain in order to plant the seed Of early
dissolution. l put up with the isolation,
starvation, etc, but, had been denied the
privilege Of buying soap" would have
paid my fine and marched out instanter;
would not have been justified in being a
propagator of tuberculosis to the family
Of the two evils, would have shouldered
hr-asdf~4or ft4f
of Hines, will call attention to the fact that
the medical departments of Europe, Asia,
Africa and the Continents, all endorse the
theory Of germs. bacteria etc. the univer-
sal press of the world believe in it, and yet
the Health Department of the District of
Columbia allows an average of more than
800 persons per day to be locked up in soli-
tary confinement, tubs in cell, never washed
or rinsed, etc, etc, but with all the indis-
putable facts in relation to the Jail, and
their knowledge of the after conse-
quences" of such conditions, they are not
only mute but inactive consequently we
have right to assume that in reality they
approve of the said conditions. Well, there
are more ways to kill dog than to choke
him with butter and there are more ways
TO kill off criminals than electrocution or
the scaffold.
In the case of the dog il is all right, but
in the District tuberculosis Preparatory it
proves to be a boomerang Every citizen
of the District and every visitor to this best
governed Capital runs the risk of reapiug
the results from this dirty institution. Just
think for one minute of the consequences
of men handling tubs every day water
never touching the tub, or not one ounce Of
soap issued to any man from entity to dis
charge (some there for a year. 10 wash their
hands, and have to hold their food in their
hands. Do they swallow germs OF bacilli?
Come to the front Woodward ami tell us
if you believe what you preach so much
about Tell US if a man in your Jail is inn
mune frOme iusanitary conditions2 Tell US
if man can keep clean" without soap
and tell US, above all If a man after release
from such conditions is a menace to the
health of the community at larger
Are you loath TO move in the matter at
this late day for fear the citizens would hear
of it and condemn you for allowing such a
condition to exist heretofore in their midst.
| If so claim ignorance and move now it is
never too late to DO good Uuder the present
| form of Government there is no danger Of
/ your being indicted for failing to "a la New
York; perform your sworn duty, so make
a start on soap" II don't make any diff
ference how common il is, just so 1t is
"soap," and to be issued to prisoners 'in
the cells" By the use of soap they can
prevent some of the germs from their hands
going down their throats. II Is not very
costly article, and they will not be quite so
dangerous when released to mingle with
the community. CHARLES J. MAGLL