Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1922-04-20
THEODORE J. LEWIS
On Health and the Sesqul'Centehh1aI

On neatn ana tUo 0esd~'SS"sS"~'
,THE approaching Sesqui- Centennial makes
i It imperative that philadelphia be at
once nut in the best possible physical shape
so far as health conditions are concerned,
according to Theodore J. Lewis, member
Of the Advisory Board Of the Department OF
Public Health. ,.
'In view of the coming sesgui. .Centen.
nial," said Mr.. Lewis, when there w Wiii IT,, ts
a very large number Of visitors to the city
and temporary residents, whose. visits VIII
rah from one week to perhaps four or hve
months, 1t is of the utmost importance ina.
the city be in the best condition tnat can
be obtained in so far as sateguairaiins ii eno
health of these visitors as well as OF the per-
manent residents of the city is concerned.
"Dr. Furbush is already working ON plans
70 secure this result, and these plans have
the hearty support of members of the Ad-
visory Board Of the Health Department.
To Profit by Experience
"philadelphia may we'll take lesson from
its own experience during the Centennial
exhibition in 1876. At that time there was
much sickness, especially intestinal &C. a'sSt, a,t,
and the visitors and in many cases 1t might
be directly traced to entirely preventa9le
nhysicaI conditions. It is the aim OF the
Department of Public Health to get the city
in order ut the earliest possible moment, 30
that there will be no repetition OF this un-
fortunate occurrence. 1t is imperative for
tSs GOOD name of Philadelphia that this be
done. and II can only be effectively accom-
plished by the CO operation OF the citizens.
.In the last analysis the cleanliness Of
any city depends directly upon the wili Oh
the citizens to have clean town. Ihe De.
nartment of Health may advise what the
most effective measures for obtaining TINS
result are. but 1t is impossible for 1t to see
| directly that all the work necessary Is done.
But If the idea of municipal cleanliness 90
l Il t,,ko Nfttznna thing
| as good as accomplished.
.'To this end the department urges now,
"a It has repeatedly In tho past, that the
| elementary principles Of sanitation be
| strictly observed. Every householder can
| give material assistance to this end by seeing
general appearance Of cleanliness about the
Rouse and yard Is maintained and that the
street in front of the residence is kept free
from filth and debris Of all kinds.
.'But 1t is not alone those in the resi-
DENTAL sections Of the city that can bring
this about. Tradesmen are especially re. re-
toward preventing the lttering OF the side
walks and the streets In front OF their places
Of business with papers and refuse from
their shops This Is necessary both for ap-
pearance and for health.
short time there will be no difficulty about
sae sssoui rtcal centennial % opens. The habit OF Of
cleanliness 10 no more difficult to learn than
that of disorder, and 1t Is great deal better
| for every one concerned.
Many Open Vaults
1.-THE vacant lot In the large city, unless
carefully watched by the owner, Is always
used to some extent as q dumping grOunt
for refuse Of all sorts, and, II 1t were pos
sible accurately to trace the origin of dis
ease, much of 1t would undoubtedly be fount
TO come from this source. Therefore, 1t Il
part Of the plan Of the Department of Pub
tic Health to secure the CO operation of tn
owners Of vacant lots to see that these site
are kept free from rubbish and filth. I'm
slightly weeds, which often furnish cover TO
disease carrying insects, should be upro0te,
and the grounds kept In clean and or
derly manner. All residents are urged T.
keep their yards free from filth and accu
muiated refuse, and to keep their kitchen
refuse gathered In water tight metal pail
| with close fitting covers.
'During the Centennial Exhibition 81
l 1875 one of the most important factors Il
the spread of disease was the undrained out
door vault. The department has begun
special campaign against these -menaces {,
public health, and II IL to be hoped tina
they will have entirely disappeared from tn
city before the opening OF the fair in 1926
J 1t would certainly. reflect seriously upon tn
city to have 1t observed that these vault
} still exist in municipality Of the first clas,
"The intensive cleanup campaign Of tn
J department. has in view the elimination q