The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-07-30
Professor Mitcham Speaks


 | l note with a great deal of interest that tle disc ussions scheduled for this conven- ton deal largely, if not principally. with 1 plans for preventing accidents and eX- i plosions. for decreasing the perls asso- l catcd with the mine-workers occupa ton. for preserving their health and bet | tcrins their social conditions Having i been advised as to the subjects to be dis Cussed by number of speakers. and be- | ing allowed 10 select my own subject, 1 have elected to discuss the sanitary lroblems connected with coal mines, be- cause upon their solution depends the healtk of the mine worker and his fam fly, and consequently his efficiency as a working part of a great industrial organ izaton.
 It is very encouraging to note that the coal operators are busying themselves with the problems affecting the welfare of their employees. Formerly it appeared that the operators were intent only on the maximum tonnage of coal with the least possible expense apparent upon the cost sheet, and very little attention was given 10 the health, safety. convenience or social condition of their employees
 All these things are beginning to re- ceive the very earnest consideration of the more progressive operators, and such consideration will no doubt stim- ultlt tt llpIf SN iiiBd ttitlIt lttlIilE OI illt workers for their employers.
 We find some operators. well in ad . vance of our laws. adopting ever more complete regulations for the ventilation of their mines and for the safety of their workers, and employing their own inspectors to see that these regulations are carried out. In opening up new mines we find many managers striving to plan and build model mining camps, md s4-a in he to Io faf.a sented here today evidence Of an in- terest in the effort to prevent the spread of infectious diseases and to better health conditions.
 More General Principles
 A more general diffusion of the prin- ciples of sanitation will result in more popular appreciation of the meas uress that have been found to be ef- feetive and necessary for the preven- tion of these zymotic diseases. Of these measures l will call attention to the following as the most important:
 l. Personal hygene and cleanliness of the individual.
 ?. Isolation and quarantine of per sons afflicted with contagious and in- | feetious diseases.
 | 3. Disnfection of houses and infected matter apt to spread disease. | 4. Proper disposal of dead bodies l 3. Maintenance of proper hospitals for the treatment of the poor 6. \ pure and abundant water SUD- ply
 1 '. A good sanitary sewerage system to carry away and properly dispose of 1 foecal matter and liquid household waste
 8. The proper collection of garbage 1 and manure
 3. The drainage of land apt to hold surface water
 10. Destruction of the breeding places of flies and mosquitoes.
 II. Ventilation and screening of | houses to keep out flies and mosquitoes
 l2. Vaccination for the prevention of smallpox and other diseases. lS Installation of sanitary drinking ] fountains in public places
 The oldest sanitary code of which | anything is known is that given by Moses for the guidance of the Israelites and was promulgated about 1490 B. C. | It gave directions for personal hygiene | of individuals, and for the inspection and isolation. of persons afflicted with con | tagious diseases, especially lepers; but gave no directions concerning purity | of the water supply and the remova I of garbage and refuse. While it was imperfect in these and other particu- lars, the strict observance of this sani, tary code is regarded as the secret O. the remarkable vitality of the Jewisf race.
 Statistics of mortality for the Unite, States have been so imperfectly kep that it is not possible to give reDabl inforpation of like nature fo1 thi