The Globe. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1878.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1235, 18 February 1878, Page 2

The Globe. MONDAY, FEBRUARY 18, 1878.

The medical officer of tlio Board of Health presented a report at the last meeting of that body which contained a paragraph deserving more than more passing notice. Ho drew the attention of the Board to a subject to which ho has referred more than ouco previously, viz., tho prejudicial effect on the public health caused by the existence of cesspits. Dr. Powell points out that tho representations made by him as to tho fact of these cesspits being the cause of fever is strengthened by a report recently made by Mr. Clark to the Adelaide City Council. That gentleman reports that some 7000 cesspits exists in Adelaide, and that in almost every case of fever taking place the cause could be traced, to tho existence [of tl e fever-breeding I system. The remarks of Dr. Powell come with more than ordinary weight just now. The number of cases of disease reported to the Board of Health has increased of late very largely. From an average of four or five cases each meeting reported some month or so back the record has suddenly gone up to some thirty or forty. It is also significant that tho great majority of tho cases are in the suburbs. Tho city proper—that is tho building block, and those immediately contiguous thereto—is comparatively free from disease. Hot so, ]iO(v.

over, tho suburban districts; and the cause of this is wo think not far to seek. In tho suburbs tho use of cesspits is almost universal. Tho ground becoming saturated, poisonous gases are generated. Tho reports of tho medical officer have urged that a change should be made in tbo system, and that tho residents should bo compelled to uso the pan system. Bnt, though this has been so, up to tho present little or nothing lias boon done to remedy what is admittedly a very great evil. There are suburbs, like Sydenham. Philipstown, &c., which nro now becoming thickly populated, where, from tho almost universal use of cesspools, tho soil wf.l become little better than a hotbed of fever. It is hardly, therefore, to be wondered at that the disease rate is high, and it certainly points to tho conclusion that some stops are at onco necessary. It must also bo recollected that it is not the suburbs alone which are interested in this matter. Tho city is also concerned. If fever is to be allowed to breed, unchecked, in the suburbs, any sanitary efforts which may bo taken in the city will bo useless to prevent the spread of tho infection. Tho town bolt is not a cordon sanitaire, and all tho care and vigilance in tho world will he utterly thrown away whilst wo allow the pollution of the air with poisonous gases to go on. In the rural districts it does not so much matter. There tho dwellings are wider apart, and consequently the risk of infection is very much lessened. But in tho suburbs, more particularly close to the city, it is far different. They are fast becoming thickly populated; which, in itself, intensifies the evil we are calling attention to; hence prompt and decisive action becomes tho more necessary. Of the fact, that tho continuance of the system is highly prejudicial to tho public health, there can be no doubt. Our own experience, coupled with that of Mr. Clark quoted by Dr. Powell, proves this most incontcstibly. Tho Board of Health have now before them, in addition to the reports of their own medical officer, a statement as to tho evil effects of tho system elsewhere. Wo are awaro of course that this question is not overlooked by tho Board, but tbo cost of introducing the compulsory use of closet pans throughout tho suburbs has made them hesitate in ordering tho change. But the time has now arrived, wo think, when. vigorous measures should bo taken. It will bo too lato to act when disease in an epidemic formes makes its appearance in our midst. Unless some such course is adopted any sanitary precautions taken in tho city will bo to a great extent rendered of no avail, as every breeze that blows may carry tho seeds of infection far and wide. Wo freely admit, however, that but for what the Board has done already the state of affairs w r ould be very much worse.