El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1916-08-26
THE most important work ever

" HE most important work ever ac-
complished for the eradication OF
epidemic disease in FL Paso has
been the cleanup" this year in the
southern section OF the city. known as
Chihuahua. by the city public health
and sanitation departments. When the
labors Of the departments along the
plans laid down by the present admin
istration are carried out by the end o.
the present year. it IS believed that
the menace Of that district against the
health Of the balance Of the city will
have been entirely removed.
For years the sanitation Of the Mex
lean quarter has been a problem con-
fronting various administrations. 1t
was realized that the destruction OF
! disease breeding community houses.
known as ''jacales." rudely constructed
of adobe and odds and ends often with
4 thatched roofs. along the north bank
of the Rio Grande and the Franklin
canal. would cost money and organized
effort. and would perhaps temporarily
deprive hundreds OF the poorer Mexican
people Of dwelling places Yet. early
in 1915. the order of the city council
went out TO property owners that the
cleanup would he made and il has
been carried on all spring and summer
with the best OF results More than
1000 rooms in which poor Mexicans
were living at 4 dying rate" were
torn down and the sites of such habita-
tiouS prohibited for reconstruction. I'M
less buildings were set up according to
the rules Of the building department
Many owners did not wait for the city's
inspectors to destroy their -shacks,
but voluntarily sustained the expense
Of the work and are rebuilding tene-
ments that can be kept sanitary. IN
. diViduals cOoperated with the health
officers remarkably and adjusted them
selves to the new conditions rapidly.
without any number being exposed to
privatiOns. Health conditions immedi-
ately improved as a result
TyphuS Is Stamped Out.
Early in the year there was not a
little anxiety NJ the appearance Of cases
of typhus- which. according TO the most
reliable information. all originated in
: Mexico. being brought here by refugee
snd IL has been due 10 the tireless Wig
lance and activity OF the health off
GERS. federal state, county ard city.
that the spread Of the disease was
quickly checked and that there are no
cases Of il now. Other contagious
diseases were Immediately taken hold
Of and cases isolated and II is fact
that notwithstanding the tremendous
Immigration into Fl Paso from Mexico.
where several epidemics have carried
off thousands. and OF the thousands OF
American soldiers here. contagious
diseases are almost unknown and
health conditions are better than they
have been for several years
Climate superb; Precautions Necessary.
Fl Paso's location In climate that
works wonders in the healing OF the
sick is indeed q fortunate one. but with
out efficient inspection and practical
SANITARY measures enforced. not even
the wealth of sunshine and pure air
that prevail would suffice TO prevent
disease. FL Paso is a health resort.
drawn sick and convalescent from F,
everyw here and they must be prevent .
ed from communicating their diseases 2
TO others. and the foreign immigrants .
from Mexico must he educated TO sani- .
tation and instructed in the simpler .
methods Of conserving their health.
This requires inspection constantly. .
and probably in no previous year has
this inspection been better performed .
and more lasting remedies applied.
Plan to Drain Lower District
Plans for the drainage Of the lower
part OF the city by n sewer along Sew
enth street that viii carry off the
storm water that flows there from the
higher streets and collects along the
north side of the Franklin canal viii
lie soon worked out bv the city council ,
and construction of the sewer proba- .