Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-06-21
THE BOARD OF HEALTH,
Condition Of the Brandyvine Water
Under Consldsration-Wher are the
Garbage CartSi - More soavengera
Wanted.


= Friday week a special meeting Of the
Board of Health was held and the con-
ditOn Of the Brandywlne was considered
at length.
The President said he had been in
formed that when the tide rises II washes
the contents of several privies at seldel
& Hastings, which are Situated near the
stream, into the Brandywine, and that as
a result 1t goes up with the current to the
city mill, Is pumped into the reservoir and
consumed by our people.
Il was stated that this abominable null
sauce had been ordered to be abated, but
no one knew whether the mandate of the
Board had been carried out.
Mr.. Eckel said there was row Of
priyies on Decatur street, between Eighth
and Ninth, which formed another intol-
cradle nuisance. Their contents found
their way into the Brandywine, were car
ried up on the food tide, pumped into
the reservoir-and-well, II Il simply
sickening to even think that it has to be
consumed 10 the house hold. But such lie
the fact.
As IL all this was not enough, the Pres
ident notified the Board that another row
of privies are being erected along the
Brandywine, somewhere below the city
mill. Although he did not say so, this
means that water drinkers must consume
more dirt aud fifth and that disease must
ensue as sure as day follows night.
DR.. Shortlidge believed all this and
more, too, is true, but he did not believe
ANYTHING could be done to remedy an evil
assuming such dangerous proportions an
ill the large receptacles of filth connected
with the factories up the Brandywlne, and
which empty into that stream, are re-
moved. The nuisance that had been
spoken of by the gentlemen who preceded
him, were but slight compared with
those existing up the Brandywine. He
stated that he had learned that the earth
closets used by the operatives connected
with one of the large factories up the
BrandyWine, were regularly emptled into
the stream, and, of course, their contents
aowed down and found their way into
the reservoir.
DR.. Draper said that If refuse matter
of any kind was thrown into the river
below the city mill and carried up by the
tide, the engineer of the Water Works is
the proper person to put a stop 10 it OIL
indict the parties who thus violate tho
law.
It was also said that so impure is the
BrandyTine water becoming, because o.
its being constantly polluted by this filth
that fish in the stream are being poisoned
and that hundreds Of them eau be seer
floating about dead.
DR.. Shortlidge introduced a resolution
raising a committee Of three to act il
conjunction with the Chief Engineer o
the Water Works in ascertainiug the ex
tent of the nuisances along the Brandy
wine and adopt measures for their sup
preston.
The resolution was adopted, and Messrs
Shortlidge, Eckel and Mccullough wer
appointed the committee.
DR.. Diaper thought the committe
should do the work assigned them faith
fully and make a written report to tn
Board of their progress. He moved tb
adoption of resolution pledging tn
Board to compensate the committee 70
their services, which was carried.
Mr.. Monaghan moved that the nigh
scavengers, in view Of the large amour
of work they have to do, and the shoi
time in.whioh they have to complete i
be allowed to commence work at night 8
10 O'Clock instead of II, and continu
until 430 Instead of 4.
Mr.. Eckel opposed the motion Q
the ground that II carried
would raise a howl seldom equallei
and would be unanimously condemne,
He thought there should be some systel
about this work, aud did not know
any better plan than leasing the busine
to some one Tor a period Of five years al
thus make it an item.
Dr. Draper agreed with Mr.. Eckel, al
the motion gas then lost.
DR.. Snortldge Inquired as to Il
whereabouts OF the garbage carts, al
echo answered where. He said they al
not been in the Ninth Ward Tor wear.
The Clerk was directed TO notify Il
Street Commissioner aud his assistant
attend the meetings Of the Board.
A motion TO have G.0O0 circula
printed, requesting people to keep III,
premises clean and urging upon them
throw no garbage in the street, "
passed.
Henry J. jenkins asVed TO be licens
as a night scavenger, and his request W
granted
After drawing the following orders t
Board adjourned -. T. Haddock, SO
Glatts q Eckel, Sll,25i John Cur
$1,000.