The Bridgeport evening farmer. [volume] (Bridgeport, Conn.) 1866-1917, 1911-06-10

way of disposing of garbage is prob
ably to burn it. About half a doz-
en- of the cities investigated had in
cineration plants and as a rule these
plants were working in a reasonably
satisfactory manner - and If they
were not it was generally because
the work of collecting the garbage
Tor burning was subject to political
influences with unfavorable results.
In the great majority of cases the
garbage is dumped on vacant lots,
frequently within the city limits and
sometimes not far from the heart of
the city.
Ordinances for inspection of milk,
meats and perishable provisions were
quite general, and it is clear that
they are being enforced with in,
creasing effectiveness every year; but
successful work of this kind depends
mainly upon three things: freedom
from political control, a competent
and particularly a courageous board
of health and a strong public opln-
ion in favor of thorough enforce
ment of the work.
Coming now to the consideration
of some special points, the follow
ing is quoted from the annual report
for 1910 of the Department Of Health
of a city of less than 100000 in hab-
itants and the capital of one of The
leading States of the Union: There
are 1000 shallow wells in this city
and the pollution of these wells is
assured by 5000 vaults. There are
5000 homes in the city, 5000 OF
which are not connected with city
sewers or water mains for sanitary
purposes. The sewer and water sys-
TENS of this city have cost the tax
payers approximately $4,0O0,OOO.
This means that the public expendl-
ture of 100000 for sanitary pur-
poses is utilized by one-third of the
fhn hnnafifC
should be derived by the commun-
ity are lost. Since 1902 the typhoid
fever mortality of the city has been
high compared with that of other
cities. In 1908 it was As per 100,-
600 of population, while the average
was but 24.6; in 1904 this city's ty-
phoid rate was So, while the average
of registration cities was "a; in 1905
this city. 3S.4; with average cities,
%; in 1906 this city, 35.6, average
cities s4.2; in 1907 this city Al;
city, ISL; average cities, 25.S; in 1909
this city, 80, average cities, %. In
1910, the typhoid (mortality) rate in
this city jumped to 81 per 100000
Of population
I'm a large city in the South one
tied and the conditions were simply
revolving. Great quantities of meat,
vegetables and more or less over
ripe fruit were displayed in an open
market extending for two blocks,
with no kind of protection for the
perisha BILE provisions. Never We're
such swarms of flies seen before. In
one case a big piece Of meat was so
covered with flies that it was really
difficult to make out what 1t was.
Fortunately, movement Is on foot
to have this market done away with.
y, lii 1T
to be abolished. 1t is impossible to
maintain sanitary conditions as long
as such things exist. On the other
hand, in the city of Montgomery, AL
ALBANIA there was evidence of quite
satisfactory enforcement of the ordi-
ishable provisions. Not only were
screen doors required at the entrance
of the market but screens over the in
dividual displays of perishable food.
Fruit stands on the streets were fur
nished With cases with screen doors,
and during the summer months no
fruit was allowed to be exposed for
sale without proper protection. The
fly is one of our most deadly enc
mics, and the protection of meats and
provisions from it's fatal work is alb
solutely necessary if the public is 20
be protected from contagious and
infectious diseases.
lone city was found to be in most
excellent condition in practically ev-
cry respect as far as what could be
done by city authorities in applying
methods of modern sanitary science.
Savannah, Ca, is the city referred to.
The city has in it's head of the board
of health, DR.. Drummer, an unusually
capable man and a man whose ener-
gy and courage in enforcing the
health regula tons of the board is re-
freshing in contrast with the weak
and hating actions of many health
officials. Although Savannah has
only $4,000 inhabitants, it's Depart
ment of Bacteriology is known as the
best in the South. and it is doubtful
if there are half a dozen better
equipped and more efficient depart
ments in the United States. includ-
ing our largest cities. The city is
very completely piped for water. OBJ
tanned from artesian wells and the
sewer system is nearly as extensive.
The city was searched from one end
to the other for a surface water Well
without success
The report urged the organization
of sanitary clubs in every city in the
country and it was suggested that the
Association of Life Insurance Pres
idents take the lead in this work
through it's agents, medical examin-
ers and other representatives in diff
ferent communities.
o,1acS he Nn0Cet-ian't Soma froa