The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-12-17
RURAL SANITATION.

RURAL SANITATION.
In 1909 the Commission on Country
Life reported that 1.-The farm should
be the most healthful place in which
to live, and there are numberless
farmhouses. especially of the farm
owner class that possess most excel
lent modern sanitary conveniences.
Still 1t is fact that there are also
numberless other farmhouses. espec-
tally Of the tenant class. and even nu-
merous rural schoolhouses. that do
not have -rudiments of sanitary ar
rangement. Health conditions in many
parts of the open country. therefore,
are in urgent need. Of betterment."
The problem of rural sanitation
calls for consideration from two
points of view: that of the possible
danger of Objectionable surroundings
and unhygienic practices to the indi-
vidual on the farm and his immediate
neighbors; and that of the menace
which insanitary farm conditions may
present indirectly to urban commu-
mites. The sanitary relation OF the
farm to the city involves almost en-
tirely the possibility of the spread or
actual infection from country to city
through milk. meat, vegetables and
other farm products. few years ago
it was not uncommon for farmers to
meet with a spirit of resistance any
suggestion of hygienic improvements
which were planned to diminish the
danger of the farm as starting point
for the spread of disease. At times there
has actually been aggressive opposition
to proposed regulations the object OF
proposed regulations the object of
which was defensible from every I'M
biased point of view. The milk indus
try could furnish many instances in
recent times Of actual refusal on the
part of farm communities to supply
an essential food to the market under
conditions that today are everywhere
accepted as rational and necessary.
A few years ago the apparent indif-
ference Of the rural community to the
needs of the urban population depen-
dent on the farm for a healthful food
supply could be excused on the basis
Of ignorance. Today there is no excuse
for apathy toward the teachings of
modern sanitation. The campaign of
education that is being waged
throughout the United States by all
manner Of forces-municipal, state
and nationality agencies connected
with the public health service. the
department OF agriculture, the expert
ment stations, the state universities,
boards Of health, civic organizations
and the public press ought to win its
way into every rural home that has
any ties whatever with civilized COM
munities.
The better understanding of the
farmers unavoidable responsibility
toward his distant fellow citizen has
in turn reacted to advantage in re-
spect to his own environment. AS a
recent writer has expressed it: For
tunately with the general advance in
rural standards Of living in recent
years there has come about a consid-
cradle awakening Of interest among
farmers and representatives of rural
communities along these lines, as
well as among the public as whole.
Modern methods of communication
and travel have to a great extent
brought the rural districts into closer
relationship with the towns and cities.
The farmer learns OF the improved
general health and reduction in the
death rate resulting from the decrease
of the ravages of contagious disease,
which has been brought about
through the introduction of such pre-
ventive measures as a sanitary water
supply, proper methods for the dis
posal of sewage and garbage. and
mosquito and fly determination, and
wishes D avail himself of these bene-
fits.
The country medical practitioner
we'll realizes the futile idealism of
much that emanates from an urban
desk. Sometimes the most elemen-
tary sanitary conditions offer puzzling
problems when the expense and feas-
Utility Of the proposed remedies are
carefully studied. Too often the city
r. -ormer forgets the enforced monot-
ony Of diet, the lack Of recreation and
the excessive hours of work which
farm conditions may entail in some
sections and at certain seasons.
There are social as well as economic
forces involved in farm life, says The
Journal of the American Medical As
S :iation. The reform of rural sani-
tation, which is undeniably called for
in some parts of the United States,
must not overlook the personal ele-
ment so strong in the country dweller.
With the exigencies of the situation
kept in mind the campaign for i'm
provement in rural sanitation is like
1y, in the words of a recent writer, to
do much to make, farm life at once
more profitable, more healthful and
more attractive, and by so doing con-
tribute to safeguard the food supply.
and therefore the health and eff
cheney of the nation.
THE BELGIANS THAT WE'RE.