The Columbus courier. [volume] (Columbus, Luna County, N.M.) 1911-1920, 1916-12-01
URA SANITATION.

RURAL SANITATION.
Modern methods of communi-
cation and travel have brought
many rural districts into close
relationship with the own and
city. thereby awakening a sense
of responsibility in the farmer
not only to himself but to his
city cousin. From the city the
farmer learns of the improved
general health and the reduc-
ton in death rate resulting from
the checking of epidemics of dis
ease, by the introduction of such
preventive measures as a Sani-
tary water supply, proper meth
DDS of sewage and garbage dis
posal. determination of the fly
and mosquito and other import
ant improvements of whose ben
eft he feels he must avail him
self.
The trained sanitarian knows
we'll the futile idealism much of
which emanates from a desk.
Sometimes the most elementary
sanitary conditions offer puzz-
ling problems when the cost and
feasibility are considered. Too
often the city reformer forgets
the enforced monotony of diet,
the lack of recreation and excess
sive hours of work which farm
conditions produce at certain
times of the year. The reform
er of rural sanitation, which un-
deniably is necessary in parts of
our country must not forget the
personal element in the country
dweller, the eXigencies of the
situation in mind, and that i'm.
proyement i'm rural communi.
ties cannot be a disgrace to
them. but a help in that farm
life becomes more profitable
more healthful, more attractive
and helps to improve the health
of our nation by safeguarding
the food supply of the city
dweller.
Many SchOOlhOuses
Lack Sanitation
The Commission on Country
Life, in 1909 reported that the
farm should be the most health.
full place in which to live, anC
there are numberless fArw
houses, especially of the farm
owner type, that possess mos.
excellent modern sanitary con
veniences. Still. it is a fact tina
there are numberless othe,
farmhouses, especially of tht
tenant class, and even numer
Gus rural school houses, TIA. do
not have the rudiments Of sqni
tary arrangement. HealtE con
ditions in many parts Of tn,
open country therefore are i!
urgent need of betterment.
That the above statement j.
true, has been shown by tn,
United States Public HealtI
Service, which in 1871 mad.
, studies of the sanitary condi
. tions in one county in each o
the following states: West Vir
! ginia, Indiana, Mississippi. ant
! Maryland In thegc studies i
was found that less than O.5 pc
&C. NJ of ia homes had sanitar
. / lets. funk Of il, In on.
I c,unty u Ter cent of the rura
/, b. mes hal no prrnlrg. In al
\ cur counties most o. the privie
, in use We're Of the surface, opei.
~ -the-bacE variety, in and abou
, WITCH nun soil % Hut'Ou coulJ
J be found. At over halt of tn
\ homes the w~ater-supply wa
, polluted or was Of a suspicion
! character. Il taking these con
: dltlons as representative Of thos
I found in the rural district
/, throughout the country, rura
, sanitation appears to be am i'm
\ portant field and one whose in
I terests are not those of lust
J few but everyone, for they affec
J the welfare of the Nation.
- Congress Shows Interest.
In this session of congress.
!. Senator Ramsdell, has propose
a bill appropriating 100000 TO
use in Investigating and en-