222 



wise Jifl'cct the imblic licnltli in a siicctncular and dcnionstral^It' way. It 

 has frequently been observed that the decrease in death I'ate following these 

 specific improvements is greater than woidd lie cxiici-ted. For example, a 

 clean water supply may always be expected to lower the mortality of 

 water-liorne diseases, chiefly gastro-intestinal diseases. In many instances 

 it has been fonnd that th( g<Mieral death rate is lowered more than can 

 he exjilained by tiu> typlioid cdiniionent and that diseases of the respiratory 

 tract are reduced. Tins may lie explained by supposing tliat diseases 

 other than intestinal may he water-borne, or it may mean tliat the general 

 vital resistance of the jteople of the conununity is raised by more abun- 

 dant use (if a pur(> water. When a conununity reaches that stage of 

 sanitary enlightenment and common-sense cleanliness that it demands 

 proper disposal of its wastes and provides for a pur(> public water, 

 we may expect tliat other less s]i(>ctacular sanitary reforms are being 

 practiced, <n that there are a m'.mher of contributory causes to ini- 

 proved health. Thus the general resistance tonus and tlie public's hygiene 

 practice is a significant health factor. Providing suthcient and clean 

 public toilet facilities; convenient, immei'ous and sanitary drinking foun- 

 tains, and the abatement of the barbaric, disgusting habit ot public spittmg 

 are jilain civic duties, and are factors in the conservation of human life 

 and happiness. 



We would recommend : 



1. Kegenei'ation and extension of |iublic toilet facilities, esjiecially 

 emphasizing the need of proper care of public toilets. The most perfectly 

 constructed toilet will be unsanitary in a short time if not etHciently cared 

 for. A score card might be nsed in inspection lo give a iiictui'e of the con- 

 ditions and to indicate ininro\ement from time to time. I baxc devised 

 and used such a score card effecti\'el.\\ 



■_*. The final condemnation of the pnblic drinking cup. cspeciall\ in 

 schools. < >ne of the lessons in hygiene in schools ndglit well be devoteil to 

 teaching children liow to make their own pa]ier drinking cups, the teachei- 

 furnishing tiicui witb clean p.-nier of coiivcideut si/e and sliape tbroughoiii 

 the year. Soda fountains are cul|iable and there should be legislation or 

 action of some kind against the present soda fountain and glass, a public 

 drinking cup. 



.".. Tile extension of oui- ant i-s|iii I iim' and anti-saliva campaign, includ- 

 ing the dissemination of iid'ornialioii relalixc to the more direct and dan- 

 gerous modes of ti-aiisfer of nasal and oral st'crelious. 



