The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-03-20
SANITATION IN HAVANA.

Mayor Myers and Health Oficer Brun-
ner have gone to Havana for pleasure
and in the interest of this city. 1t will
be recalled that sometime ago the Mayor
said that in arranging the relations be-
tween this country and Cuba our govern
ment ought to insist upon having such
authority in the sanitary 'regulat atoms of
the island as would enable it to protect
this country against yellow fever. In the
Plat amendments to the army appropril-
ton bill such authority is provided for.
If those amendments are accepted by the
Cubans safeguards against the yellow
fever reaching our ports from Cuba will
be established.
1t begins to look however, as II there
will not be a great deal of yellow fever
in Cuba if ample precautions are taken
against it. AT one time Santiago was
afflicted with the fever pretty nearly all
the time, and it often suffered severely
from epidemics Of the disease. Since Gen.
Wood gave it such a thorough cleaning
there has been very little fever of that
kind within its limits.
And the yellow fever appears to be dis
appearing from Havana. Last year-ihe
year 19OO-the death rate was only PA per
thousand. The death rate had been 1911
per thousand for a number of years pre-
viously. That was a very remarkable re-
duction. Last year there were only 315
deaths from yellow fever, although the
number of deaths from all causes was g.
102. There were 159 causes of death,
eight Of which were responsible for more
deaths than yellow fever. For instance
tuberculosis caused s51 deaths, diarrhea
and enterius. sos; diseases of the heart
4i3; meningitis. 395; diseases of the ar
teries, S57; malaria, 3H; pneumonia, Sl9
1t is evident from the foregoing that a
good deal of sanitary work must have
officials. AS a matter of fact they have
done a great deal. They have removed
more than 5000 tons of filth from the
streets and premises of residences, they
have opened the old sewers and flushed
them and they have put about ali of the
streets in a presentable condition, paw
ing many of them and repairing others.
Effective work has been done in the
plumbing of dwellings,. More than half
of the houses were found to be i'm an I'M
sanitary condition on account of defective
plumbing and drainage. The inspection
of the houses has been very thorough,
and defects have been remedied. very Of
ten against the protests of the occupants.
The opposition that was at first met in
the inspection has now almost disappear
ed The people are beginning to realize
the benefits arising from having the city,
and particularly the dwellings, in good
sanitary condition.
OF course the city is in need of a sys-
TEN of sewers. This will undoubtedly be
provided in good time. 1t will be a costly
work to build it, but the people are be-
ginning to understand that it will have to
be constructed. The present sewers are
Of no account They are practically cess
pools, since they are not constructed.
in many instances, so that the sewage
will drain out of them.
Health Officer Drummer will find many
changes for the better in Havana since
he resided there, and at the same time
he will see that there is still room for
great improvement. Judging from what
has been accomplished during the last
year it looks as If it would not be such a
great undertaking to rid the city entirely
of yellow fever. If that should be accom-
plished Havana would be a delightful
place of residence for at least half of the
year.