The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-07-26
Sanitation Of Railway and Pull
man Coaches Is Discussed.
Recommendations Of i. s. Bu-
reau Sanitary Board.
TO PREVENT DISEASE.
Separate Towels, Paraf1n Cups,
Better LavatOry Facilities.
Gossip and Matters of Interest
in Railroad Circles.

The subject of sanitation of railway
coaches and Pullman coaches continues
to receive increasing attention both
from sanitarians and from transporta-
ton officials.
Education of the travelling public TO
the Importance of observing hygienic
precautions for their own as well as
for the benefit of others will probably
be the most important factor in secur-
ing improved conditions.
The United States surgeon general re-
Gently submitted the following topics to
the bureau sanitary board for a thor
ough canvass by them for their recon-
mendations looking to the betterment of
the conditions outlined in the questions:
(a) The bedding and bedclothing Of
sleeping cars
(b) The drinking utensils upon rail-
way coaches, especially sleeping cars.
(c) The toilet arrangements and
closets of railway coaches, especially
provision of a separate receptacle in the
toilet room to be used for the purpose OF
tooth washing, mouth rinsing. etc.
Several meetings of the sanitary
board were held to discuss these mat
ters and the following recommendations
were made by that body:
1T is recommended that the blankets
used in sleeping cars be covered with
fabric that may be removed and wash
ed. 1t is believed that this may be ac-
complished satisfactorily by enclosing
the blanket with a linen sheet large
enough to fold under all its sides.
There is no doubt of the danger Of
communicating disease by the use of a
common drinking cup. The board ser
iouSly questions whether it should be
the duty of each traveller to carry his
own cup, as he does his own toothbrush,
etc. When the general public is alive to
the danger from this scourge, it will de-
mand separate cups, as it now demands
separate towels. The board has been in
formed that paraffin paper cups may be
made very cheaply, at cost of about
one-tenth of a cent each, which may
be nested together and occupy a small
space 1t is also understood that these
cups may be supplied in slot-machines
More detailed information upon this
subject is being obtained by the re-
corder.
I'VE urgently recommend the provis-
ion of separate receptaeles in the toilet
rooms for the purpose Of tooth cleaning,
mouth rinsing, etc. This may be salts
factorily accomplished by separate
sink, funnel-shaped, with an appropriate
sign indicating its use.
1.-THE board has carefully considered
the sanitary condition of the water
closets IN the railway coach, and rec
Ommends that the railway companies be
requested to consider improvements in
several directions. For the present. the
unloading of the urinary and fecal dis
charges upon the track appears to be an
unavoidable evil. The danger of this
practice, however, is to be kept in mind
A practical method Of disinfecting dis
charges was discussed. and the advis-
ability Of adding fornalin in weak pro-
portions to the water in the hush-tank.
or the use of an automatic arrangement
which would release a few drops Of
formalin into the hopper each time the
lid is raised. was carefully considered.
The board questions whether the ad-
ministration of matters affecting the
health Of the occupants of the railway
coach can succeed if the measures EN-.
ployed are a marked advance upon the
personal habits of travellers. Success
must sometimes wait upon the education
of the people. and it is believed that the
Pullman car or the day coach is not the
best schoolroom in winch to teach per
sonal hygiene and the prevention of the
communicable diseases.
All of which is respectfully submit
ted:
"A. H. GLENNAN, Chairman.
Nv. J. PETTUS.
GEO. T. VAUGHAN. Asst. Surg. Gen.
H. D. GEDDINGS
m. ]. ROSENAU. Recorder