Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-06-09

results. In the great majority OF cases
the garbage IL 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 increasing
effectiveness every year; but success
full work of this kind depends mainly
upon three things; freedom from po-
litical control, q competent and partic-
ularly a courageous board OF health
and strong public opinion in favor Of
thorough enforcement Of the work.
An Example Of Ignorance.
Coming now to the consideration Of
some special points, the following is
quoted from the annual report for 1910
of the department of health Of a city
Of less than 100000 inhabitants 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 100000. This
means that the public expenditure Of
100000 for sanitary purposes is uti-
lzed by one-third of the population
and the benefits which should be de-
rived by the community are lost. Since
1902 the typhoid fever mortality Of the
city has been high compared with that
of other cities. In 1903 1t was forty
six per 100000 Of population. while the
average of registration cities of the
nation was but 24.6; in 1904 this ctty's
typhoid rate was &c, while the average
of registration cities was "a: in 1905
this city. 3S.4, with average cities %;
In 1906 this city, 356. average cities.
34.g: in 1907 this city. SIT, average cit
les. 317: in 1905 this city. 35.1: aver
age cities, 25.S: in 1909 this city. 49,.
average cities. %. In 1910 the typhoid
(mortality) rate in this city jumped to
81 per 100000 of population
DepIorabie Conditions.
In large city in the south one OF
the great public markets was visited
and the conditions were simply revolt
ing. Great quantities OF meat. vege-
tables, and more or less overripe fruit
were displayed In an open market ex-
tending for two blocks. with no kind OF
PIoNSSIASiI s1oi lhS pSi ASAeacAS paw 49,
ions. Never were such swarms OF
flies seen before. In one place a big
piece of meat was 80 covered with
flies that it was really difficult to
make out what it was. Fortunately.
movement is on foot to have this mar
Ike: done away with. All public mar
kets of the kind ought to be abolished.
IT is impossible to maintain sanitary
conditions as long as such things exist.
On the other hand. In the city Of Mont
gomery. Alabama, there was evidence
OF quite satisfactory enforcement of
the ordinances for screening meats
and perishable provisions. Not only
were screen doors required at the en-
trance of the market but screens over
the individual displays OF perisha BILE
food. Fruit stands on the streets We're
furnished 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 enemies.
and the protection Of meats and pro-
visions from its fatal work is absolute
~ necessary If the public is to be pro-
tected from contagious and infectious
diseases"
The report urged the organization Of
sanitary clubs in every city in the
country.