Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-04-07
LOCAL NEWS.
SANITARY CONDITION OF THE CITY.

SANITARY CONDITION OF THE CITY.
Below, We publish most excellent and
wsll,timad address from Dr., G. W. ehancel
lor, the Health Officer Of the city, which We
hope will not be without its desired effect
The Doctor calls upon aH-and all are inter
ested-to lend cheerful aid in providing
against the approach of disease and pestilence,
and it is a duty that each citizen owes the
community to use every endeavor to promote
the general health:
To THE CITIZENS OF ALEXANDRIA: "
The rapid and hidden invasion of infectious
or pestilential disease is one Of its s,ranges'
phenomena, aud hence to stand prepared
against it's sudden stroke is wise, prudent and
necessary.
Whatever the special cause of such diseases,
it is universally admitted that they may be rem
dered, to a great extent, imperative by means
of sanitary regulations Thorough cleanliness
is the first step to be adopted to avert the APP
proach Of any epidemic; but to accomplish
this end the efforts of the authorities, on the
streets and alleysfwill be useless, unless CORES
ponding efforts are made by each individual
housekeeper on his own premises.
In order to eusure aud enforce proper santa
ry regulations Board of Health has been or
ganized, and, as far as practicable, has entered
upon the discharge Of its duties. The mem
bers of this Board appreciate the anxiety Of
the public mind, aud The expectation OF great
and speedy reforms at their hands. But it is
far more easy to d.tect existing abuses than to
remove them, with dispatch at all common
surate to the public expectation. The mem
iers Of the Board will endcaI or to perform their
duty without fear or favor. In surveying the
varied sources of danger 10 the public health in
the City, they are deeply impressed with the
speedy aud beneficial results that would follow
a general resolution on the part Of the people
of the city, that its sanitary condition should
be at once reformed They theretare invoke
the hearty cooperation Of all classes Of people
to aid them in their important work. The
rich and the poor and especially the poor are
in peril. Let every one clean his own premi-
SEES and raise his voice against every form OF
nuisance, filth aud uncleanliness.
While the Board much prefers that the work
of publication may be done by individual and
voluntary effort, it is determined to exert its
powers to the utmost to compel the perform
ance of the sanitary duties which either indi
viduals or the Corporation shall neglect The
law the Board has to enforce is founded on the
theory, that an individual has no right to i'm
peril the lives of hundreds in community
The Board, therefore, is bound to forbid the
continuance of those fragrant nuisances which
have made some sections Of the city almost un-
iDhabitable While it is resolved to proceed
with all reasonable moderation, it seems es-
pecia|ly proper at this time, when cholera is
to declare its conviction that nui-
sances of 10 kind should be tolerated within
the limits of the city: also, that the powers Of
the Board will be exerted in having removed
whatever is offensive, or dangerous to public
health The mem bers of the Board will make
frequent inspections throughout their allotted
districts, and it is hoped that upon their sug
ges'ions the citizens will act with alacri'y and
that all will, for the public welfare, submit
cheertully 10 their authority.
G. W. CHANCELLOR, NJ. d.,
Health Officer.