Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-12-18

board TO Congress, through Gov. Cooke. Under
| the head OF
PUBLIC HrGIErk,
refere nee is made TO the difficulty OF practically
applying sanitary science, and il il stated thxt
ian appeal will be made 10 the present Con-
grese for the establishment OF q national bureau
OF ealth. embracing the Investigation OF everv
ence.o
The report proceeds to give statement of the
operations of the board, particularly the prep
aratiVn Of a code Of health, in conformity win
the provisions OF the organic law, aud more
rover Is asked Tor in the Following clause =
10 be thorough and efficient, the sanitary
board must have plepary power in all matters
affecting public health, and this power should
be Independent of local or interested legisls-
ton"
Among the earliest subjects which attracted
the attention of the board was
TIE NOTORIOUS WASHINGTON CANAL.
The board promptly declared the cansl a NUS
anee, I'M lTious TO health. The conclusion wa
reached that the reeking pool should be filed
up, ana the board OF public works was request
ed to comply with this decision OF the board of
health. The request was entertained with the
courtesy Characteristic Of that efficient organ OF
the District government, and under its fiirec-
ton the nuisance was speedily ab.ted hy filling
the canal tor the largest portion OF its distance
Thus IL IN process Of speedy extinction the most
prolific source of disease i'm the District. for
successive years conspicuous and disgusting
nations capital
ANIMALS AT LARGE.
In order to adopt the necessary measures TO
prevent domestic animals from running at large
in the streets OF Washington and Georgetosn,
q lonnd ana an en- Gent pound master became
Indispensable. Accordingly such Department.
was organized, and put st once into successful
operation. It is believed that under ali the
disadvantages and distractions interposed to
prevent the proper execution of the law the
pound could not have been more economically
o. efficiently conducted. Certain II is that nm
der It's management the cities OF Washington
and Georgetown have been relieved OF the seri-
GUS and disgusting nuisance of cattle and other
domestic animals running at large in the
streets.
THE WATER SUPPLY
The report alludes 10 the water having during
the past season become for a short time of;ano
sive, and transmits letter from Mr.. Same, of
the Washington Acqueduct, stating that the
Potomac water is supplied 10 Geor Setown and
Washington by three mains OF u, 30 and SO In.
ehes in diameter, respectively. The actual
millions gallons in - hours. or about III gallons
for each man, woman, and child, suppOsing the
reputation to be 10000, RndtGe water is equally
distributed.
"UNwHoLBsoME PooD.v
To insure healthy and digestible meats great
caution is required in the care OF animals i'm.
TENDED iorslaUgbter. The mode OF transporta-
ton OF cattle as at present existing is not onlv
urjustifabie cruelty in practice, but, by over
crowGing. heating, brJising, and irregularities
in feeding and watering, the animal becomes
unit for killing, and the meat is properly classed
with unvholeSCme food.
The subject of the injury resulting from the
q CONDUCTING
drinking water early occupied the attention OF
the board, and the analysis Of water passing
through several specimens OF pipe Is referred to-
The board of public works, at the suggestion of
of tire board OF health, contracted for a compo
site lead pipe protesting to I've free from the OBJ
jections made TO the ordinary lead pipe and a
sample was found to dissolve only about one
thirteenth as mach lead as the pure article
SMALLPOX.
The prevalence of smallpox in the principal
cities early impressed the board OF the necessity
OF adopting measures for the protection of the
capital against the rayages of that fatal sconr1e
In advance, therefore, OF its appears nce in the
District, suitable action was taken TO insure
general ana thorough vaccination; 2. ,i77 per
10 the victims OF the disease the most annie
regulations have been instituted BY the board
and every possible precaution to prevent the
spread OF the malady. At the present notwitb-
standing the prevailing low temperature it is
steadiiy becoming mllder in type and more
ractabie Had nothing more been accom-
pilshed, the board Is certainly entitled TO no
small credit for its earlier and later exertions 10
protect the citizens Of the District, distinguished
visitors, and strangers from contact with thfS
most repulsive and loathsome disease The
health officers report states the total number or
smallpox cases occurring during the present
the hospital, and leo died.
SEWERAGE.
Much attention has been bestowed upon sew
ersge by the board OF public works, contributing
largely 10 the sanitary condition of the District
FREE BATHS.
Cieanliness Is said to be next to godiness. and
me moral az well az physical advantage of daily
bathing cannot be overrated In this District our
water courses contiguous to our cities could be
made available 81 slight expense. Early in the
history OF the board or health the importance of
free baths was fully discussed and approved,
and II is the intention before another warm
season 10 complete arrangements for the public
advantage In this regard. These baths snould
be entirely free, or so cheap a. TO be within the
means OF the poorest citizen.
MIGHT SOIL.
=, The report states that the board founi here
tne same nlthy imperfect system of scavagering
which existed In most cities of the country
Ihe board entered at once into a contract with
responsible parties to receive the deposits from
me scavengeTs at certain points, and thence
convey them far beyond the possibility of of.
fence or danger TO the citizens of the District
thus lar the plan has been a vast i'm provement
upon previous systems. Reference is made to
various systems which have been in use from
time to time, especially that lately adopted in
Ne, New ok city, and which the board Is about to
Efforts have also been inaugurated by the
board for the thorough removal of garbage.
When collected, the garbage is Transported,
Win the night soil, TO a remote location on the
river.
ALLEYS.
report from the health officer properly oh
jects TO the present paving of alleys with cobble-
stones, which allow in their interstitlal spaces
accreations of ilth, which are tenaciously re-
tanned in despite OF all efforts by sluicing or
Washing 10 ulslOoge tnem. he recommends a
hard, smooth, unabsorbable concrete pavement
which can be thoroughly cleansed ky washing
and scrubbiDg. The suggestion s an important
one, and the subject has been submitted for the
consideration of the board of public works
The treasurer's report embraces a full state
ment 81 the boards financial condition from
The period OF its organization to the 3Oth of No
vember. lsI2; the total receipts amounting TO
IS. So, and the total disbursements TO
SIT, SIG 50.
THE EXECUTIVE MANSION.
among the ubjects OF sanitary interest is
the location Of the present Executive Mansion
which, although less exposed 10 malarious infiu-
ences than formerly, is, nevertheless, open to
serious objection. Besides the INADEQUATE room
afforded Tor the Presidents family, and the Mt
ter absence OF domestic privacy, the location is,
in sanitary view, by no means desirable.
While the present building would make a suit
able executive office, and e admirably adapted
TO such use, the President of the nation should
inhabit dignifed and retired family residence,
as certainly removed from unhealthy influences
as from the annoyance of constant popular in
vssion. The health and comfort or cur chief
magistrates and their families is a proper sub
ject for national solicitude, and no expense
should be spared TO accomplish these desirable
elde. Ii is not, therefore, irrelevant to this
report 10 urge upon Congress the transfer OF the
present executive residence to some command
ing position within the city limits, relieved from
the objections that surround the present man
sion."