Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-09-22
MUNICIPAL SANITATION.


les of various kinds, notably typhoid
fever. BY the aid of bacteriologica
examination it was demonstrated that
the epidemic in several cities was due
to infected water supply ;often the CITY
water which was used for drinking
purposes. The cause of such an cpl
deinic is easily found TIE water laden
With typhoid germs finas lodging
place in the system of the individual
using such water. and those predis-
posed contract the disease.
The remedy, of course, is prophylax-
is or prevention of the disease. II IS
wise to make preparations and provis-
ions to prevent such disease. This
can be done TO a great extent Cat least
an epidemic prevented by two factors
first, the laity or inhabitants of the
city, second. municipal government.
Prevention by the Laity.-As typhoid
fever Is usually disease of summer
and autumn. people should observe
every precaution to guard against the
dseasa:
/. BY cleaning the premises and al
ieys OF any garbage that might have
accumulated there during the earlier
months.
.. Ventlating their cellars and OBJ
serving cleanliness here as we'll as In
the rooms above.
8. Boiling the water used for house
hold purposes and cooling the same for
drinkable purposes by means of Ice
packed around the vessel containing
the water instead of placing pieces of
ice into the water. The water may be
perfectly pure by boiling. but may be
contaminated by the melting ice If this
preeaution is not observed.
4. Keep UP the system in as sound
and we'll condition as possible. An in
dividual is probably much more apt to
contract the disease if he is run down.
ol at least it proves more fatal
5. Ii one of the members of the
household contracts the disease pre-
caution must be taken to limit 1t to
that member The physicians orders
and rules should be observed More
ter and milk supply until the cause is
d termined. The nurse should observe
the rules of antisepsis and cleanliness
and thus prevent contamination of her
self or other members OF the family
Municipal Sanitation
I. The department of health should
receive the cooperation of the physl-
clans as we'll as the laity. Every ply
stefan who has a case of typhoid fever
under his charge should report it to the
health officer or mayor. Thus the
source of the Infection may be more
easily determined. II several physicians
report cases from a certain ward 1t be-
comes evident that that part of the city
must be the source of the trouble. The
families being known it can then be
whether the same water
or milk is being used.
2. The physicians must instruct the
laity about the rules and regulations in
preventive medicine.
8. Every city should have labora
tory of its own. Not an extensive one.
perhaps, but sufficiently equipped to
carry on the research by the health Of
ffcer and city physician. 1t should
have a good microscope and various
appliances for preparing specimens for
microscopic slides and also for culture
work Every health officer should pos
sess sufficient knowledge to carry on
the work. The salary of the health Of
ficer should be such that he may de-
vote all of his time to the public well
fare of the municipality. The city Wa
ter should be tested every month and
water companies should be compelled
to furnish pure water for the city. At
least they should feel that they are re-
sponsible for the health of the commu-
nifty. If the water is found a any time
unfit for drinking purposes it should be
reme1ied. If the water works are
owned by the municipality this should
not be a hard matter to co. II pri-
vate company has franchise clause
should be inserted somewhere guaran-
teeing a pure water supply for the
city; the franchise TO become void If
they fail to do so. The water cornpa-
MES should have artesian wells from
which to draw in case the river water
becomes polluted.
f. The diaries should he inspected
frequently and hygiene enforced by the
health department. There is one adj
vantage that the city would possess by
Il laboratory of it's own and that is that
samples of water or milk could be ana
lived at home instead of sending them
far away, thus frequently causing long
delays where 1t is iudicicus and neces-
sary TO have the result of the analysts
known in the few days. The legisla-
ture should establish laboratory sta
tons over the state. one for every
dozen counties at least, where supplies
for local laboratories could be obtained
at all times. This would save expense
for city laboratories, as they would not
be compelled to keep a supply of Gull
lures at all times. When necessary
they could be obtained on short notice.
Not only could typhoid fever germs be
in time, but other diseases
also could be diagnosed easier and ear
lier-for example. diphtheria- This
would prevent a spread of the dis
eases, as quarantine could be estab-
lished at once. Without the aid OF
laboratory many cases of diphtheria
can not be differentiated from folfcu-
lar tonsilitIs for a considerable time.
Thus quarantine is not always estab-
hshed when it should be. Greater ex-
pense and contagion follow.
5. Every city should have some form