The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1851-08-30
BOARD OF HEALTH.

BOARD OF HEALTH
In regard to the health of the city, beg leave to
make the following extracts from the report oil the
Board
"In concluding this report, we take great plea
sure in announcing the healthfulness oil our city
during the pact year in exceptions from epidemic
and contagious diseases, with the exception Of the
smallpox, which prevailed to very limited eK-
tent, and was generally confined to the lower and
poorer easses Of society, who resided in the su-
burbs of the city, and who had never enjoyed the
advantages of vaccination One single case OF
cholera asphyxia occurred and that was a stranger
from the West Our let Of deaths proves too the
infrequency Of deaths from that class OF diseases
usually ascribed to the influence OF climate and
locality AS was natural TO presume, from It's
latitude and locality, much apprehension was felt
for its heathness; and in the earlier settlement of
the city, judging from the health reports of that
day, there was much mortality from feyers. But
this form Of disease is far less common and, when
ievers do occur, they arc OF very simplc and
manageable type, and seem to be limited to par
tcular parts Of the city where Improvements are
progressing"
feel that cannot too earnestly urge upon your
attention the proposition Of the Board "for the es
adjustment OF pest house., also their other re-
Communications for the health of the city. We can
not appreciate too highly the personal abors OF the
Board and the Importance OF sustaining their re-
Communications when we reflect t1at upon the
cleanliness and health of the city depends not only
the mitigation Of individual sickness and suffering,
but also it's prosperity, in the economy OF human
Dor. in the dIninution Of private and public ex
penses caused by disease, and to a very great ex-
tent it's morale. In direct connexion with THE i'm
portant subject, call your attention to the fact
that, in several instances coming under my own
personal observation this summer, large numbers
of foreign cmigrants have been crowded together
to excess in the buildings and apartments, the
immediate consequence Of which offensive I'M
cleaniiness, and in dangerous disease. 1t
seems to me proper thatthe Board Of Health should
be requested TO report whether the health Of the
city will not be njuriously affected by the forma-
ton, gradually taking place, Of fats in the
river Potomac, in order that the whole subject oil
! the improvement of rivers both in regard to
health and trade, may be laid before Congress at
| the next session.
have caused an "ar- trap to be constructed at
| the mouth of the sewer corner OF l4th street and
| Pennsylvania avenue to pTeyeat the foul air es-
! Gaping therefrom, and, as ] am informed by the
President Of the Board Of Health, with complete
suocess. its application 70 similar places seems to
me very desirable. The cost about fifty dol
iars beg leave to renew you most earnestly
the Recommendation which | made labt year as to
the necessity OF establishing a general system OF
sewerage and drainage, the prevention of the &c
cunuetion OF water at particular points both from
naturaLand artificial causes, and also more spcci-
fic regulations in regard TO private sewers All
efforts, however to preserye the cleanliness OF the
streets and avenues to abate various sources Of dis
ease and generally 10 the health oftbe CITY
can only be partially successful until Con Rress
shall furnish a full supply Of water.