The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-03-22
RATES.
ASTORIAN PUBLISHING COMPANY.
SOME WORK FOR THE HEALTH BOARD

SOME WORK FOR THE HEALTH BOARD
The board of health of the city of Astoria has q
big job on its hands The work has been neglected
for years, and it's none too soon to undertake it.
notwithstanding the summer season is approaching
That nothing has been done in the past is matter
Of very little concern at the present. Conditions
demand that something be done now, and the board
should not put it off any longer.
During the two winters just past contagious dis
ease has been epidemic in this city, and, while the
death rate was low the health of thousands of peo-
pie was endangered. Diphtheria and scarlet fever
were most in evidence of the diseases which cause the
greatest number of deaths The two epidemics were
due directly to the negligence, as rule of persons
with large families. Those persons evidently enter
tanned not the least regard for the health of their
own children or for the health of other children.
Their caresSness has brought to the attention Of the
health authorities scores Of cases Of diseases and that
the mortality was not greater was merely our good
fortune
vince the yerest skeptic Of the danger to which the
people of Astoria are subjected from scarlet fever
and diphtheria. Along Bond street, for instance,
from Sixth to Seventh half the block is covered with
water. In the winter this pool is filed with water
coming from higher ground, and during the sum
mer months is stagnant The property is filed with
rubbish of all descriptions and the spot is verita
BILE diseasebreeding hole. It has been menace to
health for years. yet action has ever been taken by
the authorities far the public records show to
compel the owners of the property to observe the
health regulations.
There are scores of other such places in the city
At those spots originates the disease which closes our
schools The city pays its health officer salary to
attend to quarantine restrictions but there has never
been the slightest effort to get at the root of the evil
so far as the public knows We have devoted out at
tention to the disease, with never thought of the
cause
About, l4OO children attend the schools Of this
city, and six pupils suffering from diphtheria or
scarlet fever might the illness and death of the
0AAUAAS AAUnADOA' OCuCAdHJ speaking, people WdntI
their children to live and it would not be reasonable
10 suppose they sent them to school to contract
1phthera or scarlet fever Yet every child who goes
% school during the winter months is liable to infec
ous disease and during the period of innoculation
tables his brothers and sisters to the ailment with
which ne is afflicted Once the diseases secure a I
oothod, it is difficult to stamp them out, especially
n the schools where scores Of children are congre
'ated together each day in the same room The peo-
'le OF the city need health lecture; their expert
nee during the past two winters has been sufficient
bring them to realization of the dangers which ex
It. Il
The best way to prevent disease is to stamp out
ne cause. Every one knows that the filthy spots ;,
bout town are responsible for out annual epidemics
nd it is the duty of the city officials to see that the
Wners OF the premises required to obey the law
here are ample means at the disposal Of the officials
nd they will be derelict in their duty if they fail
employ them. These annual epidemics of con- !.
gious disease or less unnecessary. and #
just about time the officials devoted their attention
the matter G