Bryan daily eagle and pilot. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1909-1918, 1915-09-07
the voice OF the prophet should be
heard.
Fingers. Flies and Filth.


It can only be contracted by takins 1
into the system the waste products OF
one previously IN OF the disease. .
These waste products are conveyed
from one individual to another usual
ly by means Of a third object such as
water. flies or milk. Even II disease
itself were never contracted In this
manner we should revolt at the all
horrence of the idea OF such unclean'
illness. For every case OF the intec'
ton developing. omeone-either the
municipality or the individual-has
been careless. and public opinion will
soon regard such carelessness as
criminal. In the eyes OF the health
officer typhoid fever is strictly pre-
ventable disease. invariably original
ing from an antecedent case, and con-
tracted In a most loathsome manner.
Typhoid Fever q Fact. Not a Theory.
Our scientific knowledge OF the dis
ease Is most complete. For thirty
years the causative organism has
been known and studied. Its habitat
has been surveyed. the assocating
organisms classified, and the many
facts relating TO the life OF the bacil'
lus fully recorded. For nearly twenty
years we have been In possession oil
most delicate blood tests for the rec
IGNITION Of the disease. tests which
are not only OF great diagnostic worth
but which should actually assist In
the prevention Of the infection. Our
knowledge of the dissemination OF the
disease. In both its epidemic and en-
demic forms, Is consequently exact
and definite. Not content with accom-
plishments along these lines, the
medical profession. In view OF the
continued morbidity. has even devised
methods by which the public may
continue to live under insanitary con
ditlons with perfect impunity. so far
rs this particular disease is concerned.
In other words. persons may take into
their systems the filth which pro
duees disease and death and yet, II
the preventive treatment has been
received, apparently remain free from
harmful effects.
Eighteen Thousand Deaths Year
In spite of these efforts and accom-
plishments the frightful mortality
continues and the disease this year
will again usher $1,000 victims to
their graves. Plainly, the practical
appl,cation OF our knowledge Is far
and away behind the scientific data
in our possession. and a large proper
ton OF the population is ignoring the
very principles which have been so
well established For this reason
health officers realize that further
stems toward prevention must he the
result of more general enlightenment
and the better education OF the mass
of the people.
Typhoid Abolition Community Matter
The avoidance of the infection rests
primarily upon community action The
proper protection OF water supplies
the eradication OF filth and all its ac'
commandments. the attainment OF a
decent standard in the disposal o. ex'
crementltious material. the regulation
Of diaries and the safeguarding oil
milk are all problems which only
communities as whole can settle
Nevertheless. this does not absolve
the individual citizen from RESPONSE
bility. and he can do much for his
own protection.
Clean Up!
The eradication OF filth Is In part
the duty Of every citizen, and each
should see that his own surroundings
are in satisfactory condition. He
should guard against carelessness IN
the maintenance and preparation OF
food and withhold his patronage from
those who disregard the rules OF
cleanliness. remembering that the
foods which are most subject to con
tamination are milk and It's products
oysters and vegetables. The role OF
flies in the dissemination OF the IN
lection is now generally recognized
The elimination OF such ily'breedinl
places as garbage. manure and fltl
Is most essential. but the proper
screening o. houses and the adoption
OF destructive measures are also Of
great prophylactic value. II, in spite
of these precautions. the disease de
velops. It then becomes the duty o.
every citizen to implicitly follow the
instructions given In order that th'
safety Of others may not be imperiled
bearing In mind the fact that every
case Of typhoid fever is due to som'
ones ignorance or carelessness. NJ
higher duty OF citizenship than thii
can be conceived.