South Canterbury Times. TUESDAY, FEB. 10, 1880.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2150, 10 February 1880, Page 2

South Canterbury Times. TUESDAY, FEB. 10, 1880.

Those indefatigable inspectors of nuisances Messrs Scarletina, Typhoid Fever, and Diphtheria—are apparently making their annual tour of the colony. During the past few days they have been travelling round the principal centres. Auckland has been favored with some importations in the shape of scarletina and measles from abroad, Wellington has constantly an abundance of epidemics on hand, and Christchurch during the last fortnight has had a variety of contagious affections, including no fewer than seventeen cases of typhoid fever. Timaru has not been overlooked, for several cases of fever have been reported, and as the weather is favorable, it is not at all improbable that the sanitary inspectors we have named may travel round a considerable number of domiciles. We have no wish to alarm people unnecessarily, but seeing that Inspector Typhoid is in our midst a word or two of caution may not be injudicious. The Inspector docs his work calmly, quietly, almost stealthily, yet effectively. His slippers are as noiseless as the paws of a cat in quest of a feathered breakfast, and people who believe that their habits of cleanliness are really exemplary rarely dream of the intrusion till the doctor announces it. He leaves no preliminary notice, he ignores judicial aid, nor docs he require the assistance of municipal representatives. But he does his work in a thorough manner, inflicting a heavy penalty in the shape of physical suffering, medical fees, and now and again the forfeiture of life itself.

Such are a few of his habits. Of course it will lie seen that it is difficult to guard against his approach once he is bent on making his tour of inspection. There are means, however, by which his visit can he secured almost to a certainty. Like all specialists, he has his likes and dislikes. He has an abhorrence of everything that is pure and wholesome. Pure water, a pure atmosphere, and cleanliness in every shape and form, he detests. But stagnant tanks and wells, filthy yards, domestic rubbish depots, decaying vegetable matter arc his delight. Tlic present aspect of not a few premises in Timaru shows that his peculiar tastes have been studied. Although his society is not usually appreciated, he has been rcceiv-’ mg of late a good number of formal invitations, In the absence of a water supply an efficient drainage system cannot be carried out, and, as a natural result, offensively odorous backyards are the rule, not the exception. Accumulations of rubbish here and there, exhaling the gases on which fevers flourish, sunk wells in which the surface drainage of the soil mingles with the water from the house top, are all favorable to the visit of the Inspector and his followers, the doctor and undertaker. Of course nobody wants the Inspector, and the owners of neglected yards and disorderly water-tanks are quite unconscious of the welcome they are giving him, but the Inspector can scent an invitation afar off, and he delights in surprises.

The humid weather which we usually experience at this season is very lavoraablc for the propagation of epidemics. It is, therefore, nothing surprising that they should be beginning to manifest themselves. The means for their distribution in the colony have been multiplied by the travelling facilities that our railways afford. When scarlctina and typhoid fever are travelling round, every railway carriage constitutes a grave risk unless they are regularly fumigated. Convalescents are ordered a change of air, and travel in lirst-elass compartments, and as convalescents are the best agents possible for the dissemination of virulent epidemics, it follows that railway travellers are peculiarly exposed to the risk of infection. We throw out this hint because to he forewarned is to he forearmed. Inspector Typhoid and kindred invaders of the peace and prosperity of domestic establishments arc already among us, and it is for the population to say whether their stay will be brief or protracted, and whether they will have a hearty reception or otherwise. liy the free use of disinfectants such as lime, camphor, and other cheap substances a good deal of danger may be avoided, but no disinfectant equals cleanliness. This agent is at the command of everyone, its employment necessitates but little expense beyond the exercise of a little trouble, and if it keeps such dangerous visitors as Inspector Typhoid from the door, the trouble, we submit, will bo amply repaid.