The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-02-02

PRAAN ~ hh@ W~AN ANh@ ~ sttNN hh
porsant department during the past
year, In full the report was as fol-
lows;
AS il is customary to render report
to you during the year, ! will at this
time endeayor to give you an idea Of
some Of the work accomplished by
your Health Officer.
As Introductory ! must repeat
what is an old and well-known fact.
The City Of Astoria is one Of the
healthiest towns in America. Her
Geographical Location refreshing
Pacific Breezes. salt.tide water and
moderate temperature, do everything
toward keeping healthy location.
So strong are these factors. that with
all the efforts Of her inhabitants to
overthrow them, still very fair av-
evage Of health Is maintained.
But slight investigation is necess-
ary tosatisfy one Of the fact, that AS
toria has some dirty corners. The
sewerage system Of Astoria is de-
plorable one. The dominant idea is,
that a little goes long ways. The
exposure and indignities suffered by
some Of her inhabitants, could scarce
" be tolerated anywhere else, be-
cause natural conditions would give
epidemics OF toyphoid and many 9th
er troubles.
During this short year, ! have been
called upon to investigate many an
odoriferous sewer overflow and es-
cape Of sewer-gas.
A plumbing Ordinance might be
suggested. Where private sewers
are conducted to the beaches the
one aim seems to be to get as near
the water edge as possible, and just
miss it. During the high tides, the
waves reach up and sweep away
much of the beach collections; but
later in the Summer, millions Of flies
endeavor TO carry away the evil, and
deposit il on eatables, and in the
Autumn, we see suffering babies and
children, as consequence.
Several times ! have asked Groc-
ers to refrain from throwing so much
rubbish on the beaches, and commit
more to the flames.
Private yards have been ordered
cleaned up. with good results, There
are still many places which could be
improved. All collections of filth
furnish breeding places for germs.
AS the City of Astoria is growing,
il Is necessary to take more radical
measures to dispose of her sewerage.
In the thickly inhabited suburbs, con-
ditions are far from even fairly good.
We deem it necessary to improve
streets and furnish thorougfares for
the people, but is it not just as inn
portant to provide proper sanitary
measures for the disposal Of excreta
Of human beings9
| would call attention to the private
stables right in our midst, The man
ure heaps are not only unsighty, but
furnish excellent breeding places for
flies which in turn are carriers of dis
ease,
During the past year, 40 houses
have been fumigatcd for such diseas-
es as scarlatina, diphtheria, small
pox. Fumigation for Tubercu-
losis does not occur as often
as it might, II it did, people would
be impressed with the idea Of the
contagiousness of the disease. The
City Of Astoria unfortunately, has its
largest percentage Of deaths from
this disease, For once we may decry
the climate of Astoria, Lack Of sun
shine and constant rain and dampness
make people shut up their houses,
and so protect and prolong the life OF
the germ of tuberculosis.
Here a word on promiscuous spit
ting, which sad to relate, is an evil
very prevalent in Astoria. True, we
have an ordinance prohibiting it, but
it would be deemed a joke to enforce
it. There are many places along the
sidewalks of Astoria, where signs
should be posted. Walk in the mid
die of the street and avoid the expec-
toration,"
In couple of talks to the school
children, have tried to bring before
them some Of these truths, for from
the coming generations we must ex-
pect results To the City Fathers we
look for framing Of Ordinances to
protect the health Of the Inhabitants.
AT times It has been necessary 10
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