DIVISION THIRD. 



LOCAL HYGIENE. 



HEALTHY AND UNHEALTHY RESIDENCES. 



The location of the home, whether it be for temporary sojourn 

 or for a permanent habitation, is a question at all times of serious 

 importance, no matter from what aspect it may be viewed. Among 

 the many considerations which have to be regarded in choosing a 

 building site, or selecting a building for occupancy, there is none of 

 graver moment or that involves more serious and far reaching con- 

 sequences, affecting the permanent happiness and well-being of all 

 immediately interested, than the sanitary conditions which the loca- 

 tion, soil and surroundings create for the chosen home. In these 

 days the fundamental principles of hygiene are fairly understood, 

 and an enlarged knowledge of sanitary laws is eagerly sought after 

 and applied to the affairs of life, in no relation of which is their 

 observance of greater importance than in the decision of the ques- 

 tion, "Where shall we establish our home?" After all other 

 ordinary considerations have been satisfactorily adjusted, there 

 yet remains the most important of all to be decided where 

 to secure the most favorable conditions for health and the 

 greatest immunity from every influence that prejudices its 

 possession and enjoyment. In the face of so grave a responsibil- 

 ity as is involved in the selection of the hygienic surroundings with 

 wnich he is to permanently invest his family, no person of intelli- 

 gence will select a location for a home contrary to the dictates of 

 ordinary sanitary laws ; but it is important that he should have for 

 his guidance the information here given upon principles not so well 

 understood. Modern sanitary science nas traced to MALARIA 

 the basis of a large proportion of the diseases which afflict human- 

 ity; and in fixing upon a home, one who ,is conversant with 

 the favorite lurking places of this dread evil, is naturally impelled 

 to look first to the character of the soil. Scientific observation and 

 investigation have ascertained that certain soils contain the elements 

 of disease, absorbing effete substances and exhaling noxious gases 

 which are evolved in their chemical changes, and that buildings 

 erected thereon become reservoirs of this great producing-cause of 

 disease, so that all who dwell therein are inhaling life-destroying 

 miasms with everv breath of this polluted atmosphere; but it is a 

 source of gratification and satisfaction, that a diligent study of nature's 



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