Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-04-11
Communication from the Board of Health.
tRIcuNtoND April O. 1S6

To the Council Of the city Of Richmond:
GENTLEMEN: We would call your attention to the
necessity Of immediate action in cleansing the
streets and alleys OF the city, report asking that
the city carts should ut once he employed IN that
way, has already been made TO the Mayor. Be-
lievng that the number Of carts and hands at pre-
sent employed by the city is entirely inadequate for
the purpose, we would urgently recommend the en-
plOyment of an additional number. We have care
fully inspected the streets and alleys of the city and
we feel the importance and necessity of prompt ac-
ton on the part of the city authorities.
Furthermore, we would suggest that the police
force he empowered and required to inspect every
house and the premises attached, and to notify the
occupants that the debris and offending matter is to
be removed at once. and at their own expense. 81
milar notices should be given TO the owners of va
cant houses and lots where nuisances exist. And
the police force should he required to open the water
plugs once week, so as to wash out the CUTTERS
The Chef-Of-POlce can arrange it so that two days
a week shall be assigned to each ward.
We would suggest that some protection be offered
the community by the enactment of measures which
will prevent the OvercrOwdng of tenements.
The opening of sewers requires attention. They
should in all both public and private he sup
piled with what are termed "stench traps" We
would recommend that, when the openings OF
the public ones require cleansing, and the sand and
rubbish which cause the obstruction are thrown ont,
it should be hauled OIL at once, and not allowed
las is the case now to remain exposed to the
rays of the sun, sending forth offensive efuvia,
creating a nuisance of most serious character.
We feel bound to call your attention to the cOndi-
ton of the suburbs of the city. conference of a
committee of your body with the proper authOri-
ties of the county may devise some plan by which
the nuisances which now exist Immediately beyond
the city limits may he removed, and the creation Of
them prevented in future.
We are of the opinion that the restrictions imposed
upon the ctizelis of allowing the water used for
washing, containing soap-suds, to flow into the
cutters should be removed. Where there are no cu-
verts the cutters are the proper places, and they
should be encouraged TO turn their hydrants loose
for short time afterwards to wash OIL any offensive
matter.
The city once cleansed, we believe that the eff
cicnt enforcement of the ordinances will, in great
measure, ward of the danger of an Epidemic
Every citizen is interested in this matter and We he
leve they will extend a cheerful cooperation in any
measures you may adopt calculated TO prevent
pestilencc While there have been 4 number of
cases Of smallpox, there has been no epidemic, and
the approach Of warm weather lessons the fears of
an extension of that disease We ask that an ordi-
nance may be passed requiring the Superintendent
of the various cemeteries around the city to furnish
this Board, on the first of each month, n tabular
statement of the number of interments in their re-
spectiye grounds for the preceding month, with the
name of the disease supposed to have caused death
the sen age and color OF the persons buried, in or
der that continued report may be made to your
body.
We suggest that city scayenger may at once be
appointed, in order that the provisions of the Orli
nance passed March T. 1866, establishing Board
of Health, may be ellectually carried out
Respectfully,
+. W. HANCOCK.
President Board of Health.