The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-05-02
OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH,
RICHMOND, MAY /, 1866.

The Board of Health, in consequence of
the threatened approach of epidemic cho-
lcra, would most earnestly call the atten-
ton Of the residents of the city to the
necessity Of more than usual caution as to
the avoidance of all causes likely to pro-
duce that disease, and the observance of
such sanitary regulations as are likely TO
prevent ITS development and mitigate its
severity should 1t make its appearance.
1t Is well-establishcd fact that the |
ravages of this disease are chiefly mani
tested among those who, from necessity.
imprudcnce, or Indifference, disregard the
acknowledged laws of health. Hence the.
Importance of proper observance of every
means calculated to preserve healthy con- |
dition Of the system.
Under these circumstances, the Board |
have thought ii advisable to make the fol-
lowing suggestions to their fellow citizens
That they should cultivate, as far as pos
siblc, a cheerful and equablc temperament,
baniShing all unmanly fears, and showing
by example that, while alive TO the dangers
which may surround them, they can for
get self and do all in their power to lessen
the severity of scourge imposed by an
all-wise Providence.
The Board desire especially to disabuse
the public mind of the impression that this
disease is contagious. The history of the
preceding epidemics in this city warrant
us in asserting that it is not contagious
and in this opinion we are sustained by the
action Of the Academy of Medicine of this
city.
Excesses of all kinds are to be avoided.
While this is especially important as to
eating and drinking, it is also applicable to
the prosecution of the usual avocations of
life the energies of the mind and body
should not in any way be overtasked. The
diet, while being simple, should be suifi-
ciently varied to meet the wants of nature.
All articles which are indigestiblc, not only
from their nature, but from some consttu-
tional peculiarity, should be avoided.
Unripc fruit and stale vegetables should
not be used under any circumstances.
Personal cleanliness should be rigidly OBJ
served. The clothing should be suited to
the season of the year. Persons in the
habit of using flannel next to the body
should continue its use, but of Il texture
suitable To the season.
Particular attention must be paid to the
dwellings and all the premises attached to
them. Daily inspections should be made,
removed. Especial care should be observed
as regards the privics, SS-pools, and sinks,
attached to each house. They should be
cficctually clcanScd ut once and disin-
tcctcd once thoroughly cleanScd, with n
little care they can be prevented from
becoming injurious To health.
The free use of lime in whitcwashing
enclosures, walls, &C., is strongly recon-
mended. Quick lime or the chloride of
lime ought To be used in all damp cellars
and after the removal of heaps Of dirt and
. rubbish from the yards.
Free ventilation Of dwellings, from Gel
, lar to garrct, aud workshops is very inn
portant. Under no circumstances should
lodging rooms be over crowded with in
mates. Cellars which are now being used
, for that purpose should at once be aban-
doncd. To the colorcd population, now SO
extensively occupying such quarters, we
. most earnestly appeal, for their own good,
f to seek employment and accommodations
in the country, where they will escape the
, danger which will necessarily attend them
by remaining in their present situations.
We would call attention to the subject
, Of dcodorizcrs and disintcctants. \ sub
, stance may possess the quality of removing
, all offensive cfiluvia, and thus can be
termed Il deodorizer, without possessing
disinlectant properties. \ cheap and
cffcctual one of this kind i, sulphatc of
. iron (or coppcras) dissolved in water. \
, buckctfull of this solution thrown into a
!. cess pool or sink will remove all offensive
caluvia, while it does not disnicct the
premises. The american Deodorizcr'
: IAN agency for the sale of which has been
established in this city, acts also very
, efficiently in this way, and has been rccom-
, mcndcd as IL diSniectant. An article pos
ScSsing both qualities, and which can be
, recommended for its efficacy and cheap
ness, is the "chloridc of lime" Un-
Stacked or quick lime also acts as a disin-
tcctant, and should be freely used III yards
. and cellars.
, The Board feel warranted in asserting
e, that this disease (cholera) yields rs readily
, to treatment as any other if the Fremont
, tory symptoms are not neglected and
medical advice is early obtained. When
, there is any arrangement of the stomach
! or bowels, attended with diarrhPa, medi-
!. cal advice should at once be procured.
, The observance of these precautions, and
: the cooperation Of the citizens with the
public authorities in their efforts to cleanse
q the city, will tend greatly to prevent the
existence of this scourgc, and lessen the
fatality should it once appear among us.
The members of the Board request that
,, the citizens will give them notice Of any
> nuisance which may have been overlooked,
or which may be created ut any time within
/, the corporate limits.
The Board are gratilied that they are
enabled to say that the health of the city
c never was better, and that at present there
e is no tendency to diseases of an epidemic
n form.
: F. W. HANCOCK, NJ. d., President.
n J. GRATTAN CABELL, NJ. ID.
q J,urS G. " ,TSox NJ d.