Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1855-01-21
YoeaI ann Dsrsonal.
Health Report.-we have received pri

Health Report.-We have received printed
copy Of the report of the Board of Health, for the
year ending June 80, 1854, signed by its dislin-
gnished president, Thomas Miller, M. ID.
1t appears, from this document, that the whole
number of inierments reported during the year is
1909; and as our population may be estimated
at fifly-fve or sixty thousand, if follows, taking
the larger number as the basis, that the annual
ratio Of mortality is 2.0l per cent, or that on an
average, there is one death TO every fifty inhab-
lants or, assuming the smaller number, the ratio
Of mortality is 2lS per cent, death 10 every
451 inhabitants. The report shows lamentable
mortality among children more than one-haf of
all the deaths having occurred in persons under
fifteen years of age. "This may be accounted
for when we reflect that much the larger proper
ton OF these deaths are from among the children
of negro, of foreign, and of destitute native pa
rents, who usually reside in alleys, and in the
suburbs, are badly fed and clothed, and cannot
receive the same degree of care and attention us
others more tavorably situated. In this mortality
among children, we do not differ from other large
cities, in all of which the greatest number of
deaths occur during the first five years Of life"
The hope is expressed that the extension of the
present wise and benefcent provisions by the
corporation, in employing ward physicians to at
tend and furnish medicines to the INDECENT poor,
will lessen this mortality, result to which the
establishment Of local dispensaries will very ma
terialy contribute.
The board recommend that the law in relation
TO slop tubs, which was some years since enacted
upon their recommendation, may be rgidly en-
forced thereby obviating fruitful source Of dis
ease, by keeping clean streets.
We may state, in this connection, that the cor
poraticn has never carried this law into effect,
notwithstanding its Importance II cannot be that
the commissioners love filth better than cleanli-
ness. We should prefer atlrbuting the neglect to
enforce the law, 10 indifference or laziness on the
part of the officers.
The board say there is one other adjuvant to
health required in our city, and which, as the city
increases in size and population, will become alb
solutely necessary for cleanliness and for the pre-
vention Of disease; they mean an abundant sup
ply Of pure water especially should this be COM
bined with properly arranged system of under
ground drainage with water-traps.
In sanitary point of view, the board recon-
mend daily markets. The necessity for perfectly
fresh meats, vegetables and fruits is too apparent
TO need any argument; and these articles, so es-
sental to the preservation OF health, cannot be
properly supplied without the establishment OF
daily market
The City Councils have, however, disregarded
this recommendation.
As conservaiors of the health Of the city, the
board call the attention of the Mayor and the
Councils TO the Importance OF regulating by law,
the sale of poisonous drugs, and of prohibiting
their being dispersed except upon the written
prescription Of known AID reputable physician.
The number OF cases OF suicide which have oc-
Cured in this city within few years past and
also OF murder and attempts TO murder by means
OF poison, would seem to call imperatively for
some restrictive legislative enactment.
This too, the Councils have disregarded.
The board recommend the establishment of a
pesthouse saying: Although for some years
past the necessity for such an institution has not
been experienced by our citizens, we should not,
therefore, cor clude that such will always be the
case. Believing il TO be the wsest plan TO be pre-
pared for an evil, rather than TO await the advent,
your attention is earnestly invited TO the propriety
OF establishing such an institution
The Councils have paid no attention 10 this re-
commentator. They do not seem inclined 10
carry out the beneficial suggestions of the Board
Of Health.