South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1915-04-23
Health Officer Tells Need
of Cleanup Campaign

to interest others, not only by their
good example but by a little mission
airy work when necessary.
Health Department Interested.
The health department is Of neces-
sity interested in this campaign. 1t
welcomes an awakened public con-
science with reference 10 the neces-
sity OF keeping the city clean. Much
of the difficulty IN the work OF the
department IS experienced in fixing
the responsibility for accommodations
of trash. often the inspector will find
heap Of garbage and be unable 10
locate the one responsible for it,
Everyone interviewed states il was
some one else. Now, in these cases
Some one has been willing TO en-
danger his neighbors 10 suit his own
convenience The work of the
health department is hampered be-
cause Of lack of cooperation. If this
campaign VIII develop a better un-
derstanding on the part of some who
have been negligent it will indeed
prove a blessing. 1t is true we have
in our city some unfortunates who are
feeble minded and whose untidiness
is a manifestation OF their weak
mentality but this excuse does not
obtain in most of the cases investi-
gated. The great majority of offend
ers can be shown the advantage of
keeping clean.
DR.. Oscar Bowling, president Of the
Louisiana state board of health, re-
lates his experience in a statewide
cleanup campaign. He says: I'm
1910, one rainy November morning.
there rolled out of New Orleans two
cars hlled with health exhibits. and
scheduled 10 make a stop at every
city, town, village and crossroads in
the state. 1t was a free shOw'-there
were beautiful specimens of the
heart, lungs. brain and other in
nards: models that worked, models
that indicated how a dairy should be
built, a market arranged; cases Of
food which warned the housewife
what not to buy; and bottles of pat
ent medicines with warning cards to
catch the eye Of victims. Infant,
school and home hygiene, with dis
ease prevention and health promotion
were illustrated-and it was free"
Inspectors Had Work.
The inspectors from the state
health department inspected diaries,
slaughter houses, markets, jails, court
houses and schools and in the even
ing, at the meetings, they gave re-
ports and criticisms. No favoritism
was shown. 1t was assumed that the
citizen has a right to know and wants
TO be informed about the buildings
where children go 10 school and
where foodstuffs are manufactured
and sold. Continuing, Or. Bowling
says: This high handed and un-
heard of criticism of officials and
others was bolt from a clear sky?
What was the board of health and
who it's president that he could have
coal oil poured over the sausage and
steak because he found maggots in
the ice box and in the meat? Cook
ing killed the maggOts; they didn't
hurt One man, a baker, when told
he needed a bath and a clean shirt,
said. Doc it's a good thing you hit
the right day this is tub night and
time for a clean shirt / have just
one a week His good humor was
typical. There was establishment but
little resentment. Many accepted in
spectiOn as an inconvenience to be
endured. but as an experience that
would not occur again. 1t did not
take long for the story Of these out
landish dOings' to get abroad and we
were overwhelmed with invitations.
No community wanted to be left out.
Soap, hot water the white-wash
brush, the rake, the shovel. the hoe
end the garbage cart were brought
into requisitiOn in honor of our ar
rival and many a little town prided
itself on being clean until attention
was called to shortcomings. One fine
old gentleman, mayor Of a village, on
being cOmplimented, said, well, doc
tor. 1 have been cleaning for a week,
but my goodness, man, you don't
think I can keep il up? 1t took sew