Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-12-17

try Life reported that "the farm
should be the most healthful place in
which to live, and there are number
less farmhouses, especially of the
farm owner class, that possess most
excellent modern sanitary con-
veniences. Still it is a fact that there
are also numberless other farmhouses,
especially of the tenant class, and even
numerous rural schoolhouses, that do
not have the rudiments of sanitary ar
rangement. Health conditions in
many parts of the open country
therefore, are in urgent need of bet
terment."
The problem of rural sanitation calls
for consideration from two points OF
view: that of the possible danger of
Objectionable surroundings and un-
hygienic practices to the individual On
the farm and his immediate neighbors;
and that of the menace which tnsani-
tary farm conditions may present in
directly to urban communities. The
sanitary relation of the farm to the
CITY involves almost entirely the pos
sibility of the spread Of actual infec-
ton from country to city through MILK
meat. vegetables and other farm
products. few years ago it was not
uncommon for farmers to meet with
spirit Of resistance any suggestion OF
hygienic improvements which were
planned to diminish the danger of the
farm as a starting point for the spread
of disease. AT times there has ac-
tually been aggressive opposition to
proposed regulations the object OF
which was defensible from every I'M
biased point of view. The milk in
dustry could furnish many instances
in recent times of actual refusal on
the part of farm communities to sup
ply an essential food to the market I'M
der conditions that today are every
where accepted as rational and neces-
sary.
A few yearsAago the apparent indif-
ference of the rural community to the
needs of the urban population de-
pendent on the farm for healthfui
food supply could be excused on the
basis of ignorance. Today there is no
excuse for apathy toward the teach
ings of modern sanitation. The cam
paign 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: Fortu-
nately 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 a whole. Mod
ern methods of communication and
travel have to great extent brought
the rural districts into closer relation
ship with the towns and cities. The
farmer learns Of the improved gen.
eral 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 preventive meas
ures as a sanitary water supply, prop
er methods for the disposal Of sewage
and garbage, and mosquito and fly ex
termination, and wishes to avail him
self of these benefits.