The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1902-08-15
Among the FllipInos.

school, TO his father;
Considering the fact that the
Islands are but five to
degrees north of the
equator, the climate is the best of any
In the tropics. Among those who
exercise proper precautions there is
little sickness, except
ing the climate in some OF the low and |
wet regions, it might be said to be
healthful.
But the islands are not free from
some Of the diseases that are peculiar
to the tropics. Among these the |
dread Asiatic scourge, the cholera, is |
most fatal and dreaded among the |
The disease, it is believed, is
brought over from, China, where it is
always prevalent. The hot and dry
season is the most favorable time for
the propagation and spread Of the
disease.
When, therefore, the cholera made
its first appearance in Manila this
year, just at the beginning Of the hot
and dry season (latter part Of March,
the health authorities Of the city were
thoroughly aroused to the situation.
The outbreak of cholera at such a
time was anything but reassuring
when it was recalled how in 1882 un-
der similar circumstances the disease
became an epidemic, SO that by the
end of it's ravaging many thousand
people had succumbed to the dread
scourge ia very short time.
These were the actual conditions
that confronted the board OF health at
the time, and it was fully realized by
them that the task before them was
one Of considerable magnitude and
Importance. Immediately Manila was
completely surrounded by constabulary
officers to help maintain the rigid
quarantine which was established. AS
yet the cholera was confined TO Manila,
but it soon spread into the provinces
in spite Of all precautions. Cholera
hospitals and detention camps for the
isolation. and observation Of all persons
who had come in contact with the
patients were established at once.
Incessant warfare was waged upon
all sides. The tlthiest and most
unsanitary places were ordered cleaned.
1t was soon found that the chief
source OF infection lay in uncooked
food and drinking water that had not
been previously distilled. To this end
the selling Of fruit and many Of the
fearfully and wonderfully made native
foods were prohibited. The drinking
water was perhaps one Of the greatest
of all menaces. The government
therefore undertook to furnish dis
titled water to all free of cost.
The water from Manila's water
works was considered fairly safe,
although there was much danger from
contamination at the source Of supply
In the MariQuini river. To guard
against this, troops were stationed
along the entire length Of the river.
Now the Spanish in earlier days in
order to facilitate transportation
perfectly honeycombed the city with
canals leading from the river. Con-
tanning as they do, water that is
practically stagnant at all times 1T is
easy to see what menace they are to
the health Of the city. The tide from
the harbor is perceptible several miles
from the mouth Of the Pasig river and
consequently there is corresponding
change in the volume Of water in these
canals. AS the tide enters it carries
much rubbish with it into these canals
and upon receiving 1T leaves behind
mass Of filth and stencil that defys all
description. Native shacks Of the
poorer classes line the sides of all
these canals. Not only do the natives
use these canals as sewers, but will
even, unless restrained, use the water
for every purpose. They hold the
filth and accumulation OF a century or
more. A good sewerage system for
Manila is one Of its crying needs and
yet this will be hard to accomplish as
there is no natural drainage. These
are some of the natural conditions
that operate against health authori-
ties here. These conditions together
with the monstrous ignorance OF the
natives as to what constitutes SANTA
tion necessitate regulations which are
not easily carried out.
Now as regards the attitude of the
native toward the splendid efforts Of
the board Of health. 1t was my for
tune to serve for four weeks as SANTA
~ inspector, and l wish to recall a few
incidents that came under my observ-
alton while on duty. 1 shall, there
fore, deviate at times and relate Incl
dents not pertinent to this article.
With characteristic Malay suspic' on
the native looked upon all efforts Of
the government, SO his cooperation
could not be secured. The task would
have been infinitely easier but for this
fact. Even the Spaniard thought we
were unduly frightened and resorting
to unnecessary expedients. The ma