Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1915-01-07
RURAL SANITATION.

II 1903 the commission on country
life reported that ~the farm should be
the most healthful place in which 10
live. and here are numberless farm
houses. especially OF the farm-owner
class. that possess most excellent mod
ern sanitary convenience. Stul 70 Is
a fact that there are also numberless
other farmhouse. especially Of the
tenant class. and even numerous rural
schOoIhOuses. that do not have the
rudimeuts Of sanitary arrangement
Health coalitions in many parts OF
the open country. therefore. are I'm urg-
ent 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 I'M
hyEienic practices 20 the individual on
the farm and his immediate neighbors.
and that Of the menace which insani-
tary farm conditions may present In
directly 10 urban communities. The
sanitary relation % the farm 20 the
city involves almost entirely the pos
sibility Of the spread OF actual infec-
ton from country 10 city through
milk. meat. vegetables and other
farm products. A few years ago 81
was not uncommon for farmers 10
meet with a spirit % 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 actually been aggressive OPP .
position 20 proposed regulations. the
object % which was defeusiblc from
every unbiased point Of view. The
milk industry could furnish many in
stances In recent times Of actual re-
fusal on the part OF farm communities
To- supply an ess entail food TO the mar
kat under conditions that today are
everywhere accepted as rational and .
necessary.
\ few years ago the az parent indif-
ference OF the rural community 90 the
needs % the urban population depend
emit on the farm for a hcalthful food
supply could De- excused on the basis
% isuorarce. Today there is no exc
cuse for apathy toward the teachinEs
lf modern sanitation. The campaign
5f education that f. being wased
.hrougt out the United States by all
Of foTces-muuicipai. state
md nationally agencies connected
With the public health service. the de-
lartment OF az icuiturc. the expert
uout stations. tte state universifies,
ioards % health. civic organizations
md the public press oIzbt 90 win its
way into every rural home thar has
my ties whatever with civilized com
The better understanding OF the
arruer's unavoidable possibility To-
.nrd bis distant fellow citizen has IN
urn reacted 20 advantage in respect
% bis own environment. A. a recent
sriter has expressed it= Fortunately
With the general advance In rural
taudards Of living iu recent years
here has come about "a considerable
Weakening Of interest among farmers
nd representative of rural com
1unities alouE these lines. as we'll ss
moug the public as a whole. Modern
Methods % communication and travel )
ave 90 a great extent brought the .
1ral districts into closer relationship
nth tho towns and cities. The farm G
r learns OF the improved general d
eaith and reduction I'm the death rate 5
ssultlug from the decrease OF the q
AH1A-~ OF euAlaNAoAH ll1tlats WHICH
as been brought about through the z
.troductio1 OF such preventive meas s
res as a sanitary water supply. pro
pr methods for the disposal OF sew q
&c and garbage. and mosquito and n
y determination, and wishes 10 avail p
.mseif OF those benefits. d
The country medical practitioner 4
ell realizes the futile idealism OF a
UGH that emanates from an urban C.
SIX SOmetimes the most element G.
y sanitary conditions Offer puEzling r.
-obiems when the expense and feas- a
iIity OF the proposed remedies are =,
.refuliy studied Too often the city
former forgets the enforced monot- ii
~ Of diet. the lack OF recreation and q,
e excessive hours OF work which -
rm conditions may entail IN some a
ctiOns and at certain seasons. There D.
= social as well as economic forces o.,
volved in farm life. says The Jour A.
! % the American Medical associa- !,
n The reform OF rural sanitation.
itch j. undeniabiy called for in some :.
rts OF the United States. must not :,
eriook the personal element 50
-onK In the country dweller. With ~,
? exiEeucies OF the situation kept In
nd the campaign for Improvement
rural sanitation Is likely. In the 70,
.ris Of recent writer. 20 do much
make farm life at once more profit
.e. more healfhful aud more attrac-
e. AID By 80 doing contribute 10 20.
'eEuard the food supply. and there %
e the health and the efficiency OF
, nation