Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-07-02
The Health of the City.
To the Editor of The Star:

To the Editor of The Star:
In a recent issue of your paper is the
statement that a committee of scientific
persons WILL under the direction of tho
health department, analyze the water OF
the various city wells with the view of To-
eating the cause of the increase of typhoid
fever in Washington. This step. wisely
and honestly taken, will meet the approval
of every elf-respecting citizen. 1 pretend
not to speak in behalf of all the town
pumps; but in behalf of the 9Th
street between and northwest L do
enter a special plea. With thousands of
people from near and far l partake daily
of it's refreshing draughts and, microbes
no microbes. germs or no germs. would
rather its refreshing water than any
filtered Potomac water, however thorough
ly supplied with ice. In this l voice the
sentiment of thousands of patrons OF this
pump and readers of The Star. What Is
true of this particular pump is equally true.
1 presume. of other town pumps in the
city, of which this is but a fair type.
The causes of fever. as well as of other
cognate ailments may be sought for in two
sets of conditions. First, Personal or inter
nal; second, external The personal or in
ternal conditions are personal habits which
are the foundation of 10 per cent
of tie ills which humanity is heir to. These
habits are, or should be, under the control
of the individual; and no change of climate
or seaside or mountain resort experiences
will avail If a corresponding change in
habits does not occur The laws of health
are Interchangeable and are as exacting
one place as another. I briefly mention
few of the most apparent of these harm
full habits: l. The excessive eating of
food and the excessive use of drinks
at all hours of day and night :.
The smoking of cigarettes and wheeling
pipes in both living and sleeping rooms,
vitiating the atmosphere for both the agent
and others. 3. Want of ventilation under
the superstitious notion that night air is
larial climate. 4. Neglect of proper bath
ing and the taking of sufficient exercise to
digest food thoroughly. 5. Engaging i'm
mediately after eating a heavy meal in
vital energy from the stomach and allows
the food to ferment instead Of digesting
as it should.
These conditions may be controlled by
the individual. In the light of them l af-
firm that every individual blessed with
measurably sound body with which to
commence the journey Of life and possess
ed of enough mind to come in when 1t
rains may have health II he will simply
pay the price-obey the laws Of health.
The second class of conditions are under
the control of the authorities. They are
external: /. Let the vacant lots In various
parts Of this city be kept in proper condi-
ton. Recent trips on the street cars have
revealed acres of rank vegetation, weeds
and grass and shrubs. which are made the
dumping ground of decaying plants and ami
mails Within three hundred yards Of the
House of Representatives patches of
this kind. Let the investigating committee
examine them at the same time that they
are exterminating the microbes In the pub
lie wells. 2. The sewer gas from imperfect
pipes Is standing menace. recent trip
through the southeast revealed these pois-
onous odors very keenly. 3. Let the
streets be kept clear of all forms of dead
| matter, rats, cats, dogs, etc. Within ten
| minutes after person has been arrested
| for crime met some serious accident,
L = 10 1T Tv,,e~
| lance will respond. Let the scavenger ve-
| hicle respond with equal celebrity these hot
days.
! Let Washington be made In matters OF
| health, as 1t is destined to be, politically,
| educationally, esthetically and financially
/ the queen of cities; but let this progress
] and development be conducted along the
| lines of common sense.
J. PRAISE RICHARD