Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-03-13
Board of Health.

VI
Founding 4lcOg at the P0EHd-HIypV prospect
# a RssEmPtIon Of the Good Work of CIsaripg
ne Streets # Hogs, Dogs, fc.-Setcer Erdmi-
nations = Report on dangerous Illuminating
Fiuids-Rep0rt on Dangerous Fluids for DRINK
tHg PUyIoses-Sm0il-pOx and Fascination.
DIR. Bliss, from the sanitary police committee,
reported that the poun6mast er had not vet got
bis books ready to make final settlement with
the committee, and asked for further time,
which was granted. DR.. Bliss also stated that
the Sanitary Inspector General had selected
SITE FOR A POUND
AT the intersection OF NJ Massachusetts, avenue and
18th street northeast that they propose to make
q fence feet high OF boards, enclosing a space
10 feet square, covered with a suitable roof,
which would not cost over $500. MIR. Marbury
said if this board was to run this pound business
they should first annul the law which makes il
obligatory on the pouDdmaster to do all this
work himself. DIR. Verdi suggested that they
action il taken; he moved that the committee be
continued, and that they make a careful esti-
mate of the whole cost of the work for the differ
ent sections OF the District and report. Mr..
Marbury thought the pound should be made
seli-sustaining institution. DIR. Bliss said there
was but one way to do this business, which was
To have two pounds with two poundmasters, and
II any better plan could be proposed he would
like TO know it. Mr.. Marbury said that not a
single dog or hog had been taken up for the last
month, and it was folly TO be paying the pound
masters a salary for doing nothing The motion
OF Dr. Verdi was adopted Mr.. Marbury moved
that the poundmaster be instructed to proceed
to take up estray animals at once, and be au-
thoriZed 10 rent some suitable place to retain
them in; carried.
NEW HAMPSHIRE.
Dr. Cox read a Geographic dispatch from New
Hampshire, which he had just received, an
HOhnCIDg a republican victory in that state
The reading was received with applause.
SEWERS.
DIR. Verdi, from the sanitary committee re-
ported that the Board of Health were unable to
investigate the condition of public and private
sewers, for want of a proper person 70 make the
examination, and recommended the appoint
ment of such person. Adopted.
DR.. Verdi, OF the sanitary committee, made a
report concerning the use of
COAL OIL AND OTHER EXPLOSIVE OILS
for Illuminating purposes, in which he says that
highly dangerous fluids are used throughout the
District of Columbia; that what is known as
Liquid gas" "aurora OIL ''burning safety
fund.- and others contain more or less naptha
or gasoline in some degree deodOriZed; that the
eXp!osivepess of these oils and fluids have caused
and are daily causing in this District accidents
fatal TO life and property; that the explosive
force of these sO-called safety oils is much
greater than that of the much-dreaded kerosene;
that these new names practically delude the
people into the belief that they are SAFE render
ing them less useful, and consequently exposing
tht I'm TO greater danger; that hundreds OF fires
have been caused and scores of lives sacrificed
in this District by these liquids; that while the
committee are aware that no law has been en-
acted towards protecting the people from this
danger, TO which almost every citizen is ex-
posed, they regret 10 state that they are of the
opinion that the duties of the Board of Health
as defined in the organic act of Congress Great
ing the same, gives them the power to legisate
on the subject; that therefore they would re-
spectfully suggest that the Board of Health
draw a bill providing fer such measures as are
nee SsTy to restrict the sale TO only such otis OF
liquids will stand the so called fire test of at
least O:e Irndred and twenty degrees Fahren-
heit, without ignition or explosion; and that
such bill be presented to Congress, asking that
it be passed, and that the Board of Health be
empowered TO enforce the law. The report was
d. committee wa
instructed TO Grsw VI suitable bill.
DIR. Verdi, from the sanitary committee. sub
mitted a report on the eXpedency OF having
submitted to chemical analysis the
LIQUORS, MALI, vINOUs AND ALCOHOLIC.
sold at retail at the various drinking saloons in
this District. stating that effort should be-
made 10 protect our people from the deadly
mixtures offered for sale; that they arc aware of
the most criminal adultera lions Of whisky and
malt liquors.. which are detrimental to health
al d the moral and mental qualities of the peo-
which should engage the earnest attention of
our legislators. The report also states that the
exredieney Of our local Board OF Health to en-
ter into such an analysis of fermented and alco-
holic liquors as to check the yillainous deceit
pTacticed upon the CONSUMERS by thousands OF
drinking shops in our midst, is not only iHexpe-
dent, but impossible, as the labor would REQUIRE
at least a half dozen experts and chemists of I'M
doubted integrity and an amount of strength 10
stand the persuasive logic of those who are max
ing capital OF the peoples misfortune, and sug-
gests that proposition be made either 10 Con
gTess or our legislature OF plan by which the
interests of the board might become practica-
bic. Adopted.
SMALLPOX AND VACCINATION.
DIR. Bliss said that since the organization of
the Board of Health % cases OF smallpox had
been reported to the board. and only cases had
been contracted from the patients under the
care of this board. DIR. Cox remarked that this
TACT wac very satisfactory to the board. as il
was the best evidence of the vigilance of the
health officers. DIR. Verdi reported 2S9 free
vaccinations by the board at their rooms during
the last ten days.
Mr.. Marbury reported the bad condition OF
the west street sewer, in Georgetown, at the
intersection of Washington street and moved
It's abatement; agreed to. Adjourned