Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1873-10-18
Meeting of t,,e Board of Health.

TIE TROUBLE WITH TIE sCAvENGEgs-PRO-
POSED NATIONAL SANITARY CONVENTION
TIE EORTUARY REPORT, ETC.
At a meeting of the Board of Health last
night. the report OF the heath officer was read,
detailing his action with the scavengers and the
trouble they had given the health officer the
previous night. and stating that to guard against
further annoyance he had obtained of Major
Richards the services of two policemen to each
of the wharves of deposit, and had placed new
locks on the gates, 50 that no dumping could be
done by the obstreperous scayengers; report
adopted.
had revoked the commissions of the scavengers.
the attorney TO the beard be instructed not to
push the cases against them unless further
trouble he given.
NATIONAL HEALTH CONVENTION.
DR.. Cox, from the committee on correspond
ence, submitted the form of circular which he
bad drawn up to be forwarded to the different
health boards and sanitarians throughout the
country, inviting them to assemble in conven-
ton in Washington, on the 2ist day of January,
1874; adopted. One OF the objects of the pro-
posed convention is to take action towards the
establishment of a government sanitary bureau
and procure Congressional legislation to this
end.l The committee were instructed to have
the necessary number of copies printed for use
of the board.
SANITARY STATISTICS.
DR.. Cox submitted a resolution, which was
adopted, "that suitable means be employed II
ascertain the precise number of inhabitants
white and cOlOred, of all ages, in each and every
election district in Washington and Georgetown.
the number of births and deaths, also the causes
Of the latter, and any other points of sanitary
interest peculiar to said District, whether as re-
sTects the geological features style of buildings
habits of residents, general and particular nui-
sancCs, or other causes likely to affect iniuri-
OUsly the public health; that the sanitary COM
mitt6e be instructed to report to the board, at
its next meeting, the best mode of accomplish
ing. at the least expense, the de srable object"
In support of the resolution, he said the ob-
iects we're not so much with reference to put
~Erlr int. 4
place before the public the fact that the Board
of Health are alive to the duties for which thew
were appointed, and having successfully con
quere1 the greatest of nuisances, namely, the
night soil nuisance, they were now determined
to grapple in detail with all others. The NOR
tuary report was of the greatest Importance,
special appropriation, as the low state of their
finances will not warrant them in undertaking
to carry out the proposed plan at present. He
also submitted resolution calling upon the
Board of Public Works to furnish a full de-
scription of the present system of sewerage in
the District, with such changes and improve
ments as are proposed; adopted.
NEW health OFFICE.
DIR. Bliss submitted a report, which was
adopted, that the sanitary committee be author
lied to procure suitable places for the accom-
mediation of the health Office.
DIR. Cox stated that it was his purpose to fit
up the premises where they now meet for his
own private use. The resolution was adopted
DIR. Cox said in reference to the action of the
board with the scavengeTs substituting the new
for the old bucket system, that he had no I'M
kind feelings TO any of the scavengers. They
had acted hastily the night previous in under
taking to run their carts, but they were no
doubt acting honestly. He thought the board
had good cause to congratulate itself that this
greatest of nuisance had been abated, and the
change brought about with so little difficulty.
And as the governor of the District had revoked
the commissions of the scavengers they will no
doubt yield to authority and interpose no further
objections to the change. While up he desired
to express his Acknowledgements to Governor
Shepherd for the prompt and hearty co6pera-
ton given the board in the Inauguration Of
this great sanitary reformation in this city.