CADETS LECTURE

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXXIII, Issue 69, 16 September 1924, Page 8

CADETS LECTURE

, REFUSE, SEWERAGE AND DiSiNFECTION. In continuation of tho subject of Sanitation and Hygiene,'. Mr 0. H. Lawn addressed the combined »:ompanies of Senior Cadets and Territorials at the Drill Shed on Friday evening. Following on former lines, the lecturer said:—"Having realised the requirements of health as light, pure air, pure water, and pure* foods, it is essential that certain precautionary measures shoxdd be taken to prevent contamination of either of these essentials; also, the prevention of the! possibilities of disease entering tho body of man and in carrying this out

'on© of th© great necessities was the prevention of accumulation of refute and putrifying organic matters, ihis will more particularly obtain where communities of any size exist. Man having a highly complex organic body needs! complex foods for which he goes to the three kingdoms, animal, vegetable and mineral. With the assimilation and preparation, of foods, the accumulation of used up matters connected therewith, and the refuse therefrom; the possi-

bilities of foul gases and offensive pUtrifying matters arising therefrom becoming a menace to the health of the community, if not attended to, become very great. The waste from the body alone from many sources, if not attended, to, causes nuisances, and means should be taken to immediately remove these in the most sanitary method possible. Earlier methods of dealing with the removal of these wastes and the defects of 1 old fashioned systems were expjained and the possibilities of contamination of water supply pointed out. Later methods of the dry earth or conservancy system and the disposal, by burial in earth and the ettecis of earth on excremental matters/ were explained. As the removal of these matters has] in large communities, become a matter of vital 'importance, it has become a municipal resjwnsibiiity that the most effective means of carrying this out should be undertaken. Much thought has been put into devising schemes and much) money has oeen spent in the construction of works to eiiectively remove and dispose! of reiuse'and faecal matters*

The best system up to the present would appear to l>e tlie water carriage System which'is, better known as j a sy'steni of drainage and sewerage. The lecturer outlined tUe system in vogue, detailing household fittings, traps, and their uses, the house connection, the sewer and its. adjuncts, all of which have to be constructed of impervious materials having smooth, glazed surfaces. The matter of'construction oir these works is an engineering undertaking, as sizes arid grading of, sewers to carry solids effectively, are which lequire'* mathematical imputation and precision in construction. The house' 'work has to be done »n a proper manheV and thig is earned out by plumbers who are. licensed by, and are responsible to, the municipal authorities and their work is under very rigid inspection and governed by tfgid by-laws.

The biological treatment of sewage in septic tanks and niter beds' was fully explained and systems detailed. The disposali of refuse by the use of destructors and incinerators was gone into, and the collection, destruction, and possible manufacture of manures therefrom detailed. Sewage, farms were mentioned, but this class of disposal does not affect the Dominion very much, ' Infectious diseases were mentioned and the possibilities of carriage of same by flies, mosquitoes, domestic and other animals pointed out. Disinfection against disease was discussed. The .difference between a disinfectant and %n antiseptic explained. Disinfection by. dry and moist heat, fumigation, the use of certain gases and fluids for this purpose explained and several disinfectants were named as being available and useful. Immunisation against disease by injecting preparations into the body waa mentioned as a possibility which may be met with by troops, but this is a matter for the, medical man rather than the sanitatipnist. In conclusion, was shown the necessity fon greati care in propagating and protecting the health of the community and the individual. Soma of th© measures i;aken had been outlined in the lectures and the speaker impressed the hearers with the great responsibility which rests! with the individual to see that all the necessary precautions, by-laws, legislation, and so on should be given full effect.

The> lecturer was roundly applauded at..the conclusion of the lecture. Arrangements have been made for; other speakers to carry on the series of addresses.- . *