Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1869-09-21
"A HEALTHY CIrY.-The interesting annual
repcrts OF Dr. Robert axhnrn pza.iAa.. a,d

HEALTHY CIrY.-The interesting annual
reports OF Dr. Robert Rey burn, President, and
Dr. j. L Dexter. Secretary OF the Board of
hesitn OF this city, submitted TO the Board OF
Aldermen last night, furnish a m st gratifying
exhibit Of the sanitary condition OF Washington
and the health OF its inhabitants for the year
ending June 30, 1859. Taking the annual
report Of deaths for the year, prepared by Dr.
Dexter, we learn that the deaths from regis
tered diseases were 2,G33 still born, liz; old
age, 4s; unknown. external and accidental
causes, $50; total number of interments during
the year, 2S2e; white, 1,53l; colored, ele; nm.
known, IS males, 1,26,; females, 1,ls9: nm.
known, b. Deducting still torn, liz, we have
net deaths IN the city, 2,il7; the per centage of
deaths according to the whole population beng
q little less than per cent, considering the
population at l2j,OOO. The deaths from con-
sumption were-July, 20; August, "a; Sep
TENDER, 81; October, 25. November 81; Dscem
Der, 81; January, %; February, IS; March. %;
April, Il; May, Is; June, %; total, $40, or an
average Of p per month. From cholera
infantum there were 237 deaths; measles, 199;
pneumonia, 100; diarrhPa. 81; dentition, 50:
dysentery, s.; convBlsions, 81; heart disease,
81. The other diseases enumerated were not
as fatal
Taking these figures as a basis, DIR. Rsyburn
says in his report that Washington Ia now a.
healthy city as can be found In the United
States. This 10 capable OF demonstration by
reference to the tables OF mortality OF a few of
our principal cities. The death rates in New
York and Brooklyn, for instance, scarcely
ever fall below % per thousand OF the popuIa.
ton, and is frequently largely in excess of that
proportion. The annual death rate OF all Eng.
land is % per thousand, and IN the city of
Paris, whose sanitary arrangements are the
M St faCf Of an fhar
death rate Is - per thousand of population
The annual death rate Of Washington, as will
be seen by the figures, is % per thousand of
population, showing that the death rate of this
city compares fAvorably with that OF other
large cities During the years 1S65-69 we have
had no epidemics whatever Of a serious char
acter. Scarlatina and measles prevailed to a
limited extent during the winter and spring
months, but have now disappeared The
opening and grading of so many streets and
the increase in the number of sewers have rem
de-ed many parts of the city dry and healthy
which were formerly damp and unwhoIe-
seine.
In reference TO the subject Of night soil
DIR. Rey burn recommends the use of mil
verified earth the cheapest and CON-
pletest deodoriZer. He thinks the canal
should either be dredged out and rendered
navigable through the whole of its extent,
or narrowed and arched over TO be used "a
sewer for the surface drainage of the CITY.
In Its present condition il Is a standing dis
grace TO Washington, ard is a fruitful source
OF disease 10 those who are unfortunate enough
TO live in its vicinity. He recommends yacci.
nation of all children admitted to the public
schools; the thorough ventilation of school
houses by yentilatlng shaft, composed of
brick and wood, adjoining, or forming part of
the Chimney in each school room. Registers
placed in the upper part of this shaft also In
the wall near the floor, would, in conjunction
with the windows, furnish abundant yentiIa
ton, both in summer or winter. The desire Is
expressed that the Councils pass a bill to reor-
ganize and increase the powers Of the Board OF
Health that 1t may be in the same effective
condition Of power and usefulness that is pos-
sessed by similar boards in other cities; also a
bill imposing penalty for the neglect TO regis-
ter the birth Of children born within the limits
OF Washington. There Is now existing an ordi-
nance reg uiring this registration, but on ac-
count OF there being no penalty am xed to its
violation the la remains q dead letter.