286 
WISCONSIN STATE AGHIGULTUIIAL SOCIETY. 
These words of warning and of kindly ad\dce are from the pen of 
James Johnson, M. D., health officer of the city of Milwaukee, 
(seventh annual report), and it is much to be regretted that the au¬ 
thorities of that city did not accept and act upon his suggestions 
and plans of intercepting sewers, since it would have saved what 
will soon be rendered imperative, another immense outlay of money 
for sewerage. 
DRAINAGE OF BUILDING SITES. 
Statistics have proven that surface water is one prolific cause of 
consumption and kindred diseases, yet how few examine the con¬ 
dition of the soil below the Surface when locating their homes. 
It is not that men are indifferent to the causes which produce 
disease, but because they are so absorbed in their various occupa¬ 
tions and professions that these primary considerations are lost 
sight of. 
It is a fact well known to civil engineers, and others who have 
given the subject careful attention, that sewer pipes, absolutely im¬ 
pervious to water, act as drains to the soil in which they are laid, 
and, if placed sufficiently deep, will, to a very great extent, remove 
the surface water, thus rendering wet and unhealthy localities dry 
and salubrious. 
Even the drying of soil in the laying of sewer mains in cities, has 
led to a perceptible diminution of lung diseases in the districts 
where they were laid. 
The first consideration in building a homestead, either in city or 
country, should be that the foundations be laid in ground that can 
be thoroughly drained. The drainage should be arranged after the 
besL methods, and with the greatest possible care that all the con¬ 
ditions of soil are perfectly understood. The house should stand 
upon the highest elevation in the plat of ground designated for the 
purpose, with south and east exposure if possible, and well removed 
from too much shade, since a superabundance of trees and clinging 
vines causes a dampness of the atmosphere of the house, that can¬ 
not be remedied by any amount of drainage, and this increases the 
pressure of the blood on the internal organs, lessens the discharge 
of water from the skin, and elevates the temperature of the body, 
thus causing congestions, etc. Let pure air and sweet sunshine 
have free und unimpeded access to every part of the house, thus in¬ 
suring to its inmates health and cheerfulness. 
