The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1913-07-05
DR.. BOWLING HEARD FROM.
Mayor Lenann Receives Report of
State Health Train Inspectors
City compIimented on Beautiful
Public Park-Improvements Rec
commended.
commended.


Public Park-improveme Rec
commended. --.
Mayor Walter Lemann is in re-
ceipt of the following letter from DR..
Oscar Bowling, president of the State
Board of Health, relative to the re-
cent visit of the health train to
this city:
Cheneyville, La, June &c, 1913.
Donaldsonville, La.
Dear .Sir:-The first duty of the
State Board Of Health is to protect
and conserve the health of the citi-
zens of the state. To this end on
the occasion of the visit Of the
health train to your progressive lit
tie city on the 10th instant, "a SAM
tary inspections were made in addi-
ton to a survey of the town.
Letters of instruction have been
sent to proprietors of individual
places; details concerning courthouse
and parish Jail sent to president Of
the police jury; and l take pleasure
in submitting to you report on city
market and general sanitary condi-
tons Of the town.
The city market is very old build
ing and very much larger than nee
essary at present The roof seems
to be falling somewhat. There are
no screens and no plumbing and no
sanitary conveniences. l would rec
ommend that the city erect a modern
market or allow individuals to have
their own buildings.
1t is gratifying to note that the
citizens of Donaldsonville are max
ing the experiment of commission
form of government, which has been
SO successful in many cities. The
placing of responsibility definitely up
on a few officers gives opportunity
for immediate improvement. It IS a
pleasure also to know that you and
other members of the community are
interested in the fundamentals.
The suggestion offered that the
various cities in your vicinity unite in
would supply wholesome water for all
is excellent. Cooperation in the in
auguration of utilities and in super
visory service has been tried in diff
ferent sections Of the country and
with success The cost for each in
dividual community is less and the
service more adequate.
Equally important to public health
is the INSTALLATION of a sewer system.
Should this not be practicable for the
entire area of the city, there should
be no laxity in the enforcement of
the regulation of the State Board Of
Health which requires that all water
closets be built ON the plan of the
Stiles model or something better.
It goes without saying that for
health and aesthetic reasons the
city should be kept in a sanitary con-
dition. With an adequate system Of
garbage collection and city supervi-
sion Of other forms Of waste, the
installation of a small incinerator
solves the problem. These plants are
within the means of even the small
municipalities. Where experiments
have been tried in the building of
proper conveniences and sanitary con-
troll of human waste, the returns
show clearly a lowered mortality and
morbidity rate in all forms of enteric |
diseases.
Another point of attack is the
elimination of typhoid and malaria
through the control of the fly and
pests. The physical means
for the destruction of the later are
simple; cutting Of weeds, drainage,
and oiling of stagnant pools and
cisterns are the main measures.
One of the notable manifestations |
of the Gsyic pride of your community
is the beautiful park. Aside from the
aesthetic it's utilitarian value is ap-
parent, and it suggests many other |
possibilities similar in character
Assuring you of our hearty cooper
alton in the effort to make Donald |
sonville model city, and with kind |
ly thanks for the many courtesies ex-
tended during the recent visit Of the
health train, I am,
Very sincerely yours,
OSCAR BOWLING,