The Public III-Health.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6831, 19 April 1890, Page 4

The Public 111-Health.

In these insanitary times with their inevitable natural consequences in the horrible forms of typhoid, diphtheria, and fevers of low and intermittent types, is it not pitiable to behold the fatal indecision and absence of energy displayed "by the powers that be," in grappling with the causes productive of these insidious and malignant foes to human happiness and even life itself ?

While the newspapers constantly and faithfully chronicle the appearance of an array of fell diseases, not only in crowded and pestiferous neighbourhoods, but likewise in the isolated favourite retreats secured by the well-to-do classes, the population is becoming decimated by the inroads of monsters of our own creation, no man taking it to heart. How frequently is it the case that any movement towards the improvement of a certain locality is not initiated until reports of deaths — gratuitous and preventible — are published! Only then are enquiries mado and proofs obtained by examination and inspection, that imperfect drainage or the neglect of the simplest and most manifest of sanitary obligations is the true cause of the terrible outbreak; that Nature, in fact, is taking revenge upon triflers with her obvious demands upon their prudence and commonsense. The very simple subject of street sweeping and the removal of refuse from alleys and lanes is done in so imperfect and perfunctory a style, that the latent germs of disease, instead of being carted away and destroyed, are simply disseminated, and their evil effects extended over a wide range. This is apparent equally in a moist or dry state of the atmosphere; in the latter condition, the dust, in the shape of impalpable powder, being disturbed in the most ferocious manner, often when the thoroughfares are the most thronged by pedestrians, to their infinite annoyance and disgust. There is no doubt, however, that there are some very simple precautions, comparatively inexpensive but really effective, which, if adopted, would go far to prevent infection, and even arrest its progress; among which, the habitual and persistent use of disinfectants is the most prominent. Another most valuable agent is nothing more nor leas than Warner's Safe Cure, which if taken as a preventive or as remedial, has times without number warded off or cut Bhort attacks of fever, malaria, and complaints possessing kindred symptoms. - If derangements of the kidneys or liver are indicated, the same remedy ia invaluablej^and even when the fatal stage commonly" known as Bright's disease has supervened, and the shadow of death is hovering around, even then it has proved its health-restoiing power, and established its claim as being the only known specific for that ctire scourge of humanity. But delay i3 : dangerous and greatly to be deprecated.

An alarm compass, a recent invention, sounds an alarm if the vessel is allowed to get off her courae. Electricity is brought into play to accomplish this,