The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1902-03-06
CLEAN THE CITY.

THE MOVEMENT inaugurated by
L The Herald a few days since for
p general cleansing Of the city, has
been received with a cordiality that
augurs well for rapid and effective
work. The health authorities Of Salt
Lake are entitled TO the cordial sup
port and cooperation Of every citizen.
All the people cannot have immaculate
linen for Il beds. porcelain bath
tubs. mode plumbing, stationary
wash stands l9rdwood floors and 9TH
er thlngs winch are associated with
luxurious cleanliness. But there isn't
a family in Salt Lake that cannot have
pure air and plenty Of it, clear fresh
water and plenty of that. coupled with
soap.
To be sanitary means to be clean.
That is all there is to it. One doesn [
need expensive toilet accessories in or
der to keep ones person clean. Com
mon I've soap may not be as soothing
to the skin as the perfumed, meGicated
article but it has the effect of wash
ing away the dirt. and that is The main
thing tbs doctors 3-e contending for
Those who haven't a bath tub can use
wash tub. and those who haven't
the wash tub could make shift with a
tin basin
science tells us there is no disease
destroyer so edicacious as the cheapest
of all combinations, water, soap and
sunshine. Nearly every contagious
disease. with special reference to scar
let fever. diphtherid and smallpox,
can be traced directly to filth. By
this statement. The Herald does not
intend to convey the impression that
ONLY people who are filthy IN person or
about their premises. contract the dis
cases mentioned. Far from it, 1t IS the
origin OF the maladies to which atten-
ton is called.
II. every house in Salt Lake and ev-
cry Individual in Salt Lake and every
yard in salt Lake had been kept as
clean as II is possible to keep bodies
and houses and premises, there would
not be case of contagious sickness in
this city today. That seems Ike a
broad statement, but it barely covers
demonstrated scientific facts Further,
until the city is Thoroughly cleaned.
until people generally learn the value
of ordinary sanitary precautions. it
viii be impossible for any health de
partment. however efficient, TO cope
successfully with contagion.
The city Of Cleveland, O.. which has
been pronounced ny competent author
tiles To be the best governed munich
pality in the United States, wiped out
absolutely every trace of cOntaglon by
a systematic campaign against filth.
Realizing that Us most important as
set the health of the community. was
at stake, the health officers were Civ
en- arbitrary powers in the enforcement
OF cleanliness and the result has amply
demons Gated the wisdom of the move
ment. The same great end can be at
tanned in Salt Lake. but it can be
reach-d only through loyal support and
assistance 20 the department Of health.
IF every citizen will constitute him
self q health officer, first looking after
his own premises and then, regardless
oS possible disturbance, after the prem
ises Of his neighbor, the city win be
clean almost before we know it. Of
ii1iousness is not necessary. but some
salt Lakers< need guardians to protect
them srom themselves. The Herald be-
aeves the crusade VIII be earrsed to a
successful issue We cannot afford TO
have any other termination.