New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1912-01-13


there should be cutoff in the
pipe leading to the cistern, aud
an overflow pipe with a stralner
to keep out insects. The cistern
should be we'll screened.
If a we'll is the source Of the
water supply, the location should
be on the highest available point,
so that all washings may he car
ried away. The depth should be
below the surface soil; the lining
should be of brick laid in cement:
or better, a terra Gotta pine LAID
in concrete. There should be a
coping extending one foot above
and three feet below the surface,
with a floor made absolutely wa
ter proof. Many wells are pol
luted from material washed IN at
the top. The means of obtaining
the water is important. A pump
is best. If not practicable, there
should be, as next best, an auto
matte dipping bucket. Water is
often infected from the diseased
condition of those who drink from
the bucket. or from handling the
bucket with dirty hands.
Much surface water. aside from
preventable contamination. IS
unfit for drinking because Of the
organic and inorganic matter con-
tanned. Water containing sui
phur, some kinds of limestone.
magnasia, or many kinds of sedi-
ment should be used cautiously.
Vegetable matter in suspension or
in solution may cause intestinal
disturbances, while organic filth
in water is more than likely to
produce enteric fever, dysentery,
or parasitical diseases. Many
facts have been established con-
corning water in its relation to
health. but there is yet much to
be proved. 1t is the par of Wis
dom not to be Indifferent. but to
use the utmost endeavor to have
water for drinking and for kit
chen purposes.
The lack Of sense Of RESPONSE
bilitv for an adequate supply OF
clean. pure water shown by many
individuals, and by village and
town authorities. is appalling.
Open surfeae wells situated in
filthy spots. often where the ami
mails Of the farm are watered and
the hogs have wallowing holes,
are common. The open well in
the square is the rule in many
small towns, and the bucket at the
schoolhouse well is almost al
ways on the ground. with the coil
of rope lying in the inevitable
mud puddle.
Drainage, so imperative around
the well or spring. is the excep-
ton, and the healthfulness of the
of many districts is
because of pollution Of
wells and springs from a rise of
ground water due to a heavy rain
fall. or from lack of natural
drainage.
The consideration of soil brings
up the entire subject Of waste
disposal, perhaps, next to water
supply. the most difficult problem
of the farm.
The report for the year 1910
Of the Surgeon General of the
Public Health and Marine Hos
pital Service Of the United States
gives the results of Investigations
concerning soil pollution in six
different States. Of the farm
houses numbering 4,645, IS .. c.
were without necessary sanitary
conveniences. Many were listed
as having the most insanitary
types Of outbuildings, and with
no system of filth removal.
Of 5.340 farm homes examined
in eight Parishes in Louisiana by
the Hookworm Department dur
ing 1910, 1877 p. c. had no SAM
tary conveniences. OF the 4.031
provided. those for whites ave-
ragged 94 p. c. and those for col
ored AZ p. c. out of a possible
100 per cent. thus showing the
low standard maintained by our
people.
Such conditions nee essarily in
duce the propagation of flies and
are distributing points for ty-
phoid fever, amebic dysentery,
hookworm disease and other in
fections.
These outbuildings should be
located so that surface drainage
will be carried away from house
and well. In construction. the
two desirable features are venti-
lation and protection from flies
and animals by means of screens
and trap door at the back.
Ordinarily, a bucket of dry earth,
or lime and earth, will solve the
problem of keeping in good con-
dition. The waste, when remov-
ed, should be burned.
Unfortunately. because of in
adequate water supply. few coun-
try homes have facilities for bath
ing in comfort. The labor in