The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-06-15
TO the Public.
OFFICE or THE BOARD or HEAITH,
RICHMOND, June 13, 1874.

| AsiSAAoSh, CbnC 10, 1Ct4S ss
Il The commencement Of the heated tern,
admonisbes US That extra diligence should
be observed by all In any way connected
with the sanitary condition OF the city. This
general proposition is acquiesced in byeyery
one; but while the public look to the Board
of Health TO accomplish all that Is needed to
ward off disease OF Mn epidemic character
they are forgetful of the limited powers pos
sessed by the Board, and ignore the fact that
each individual in the community has his
own duty to perform in preserving the gene
raj beath. Without the cooperation of the
citizens no health authority, unless clothed
with unlimited powers, could accomplish
what is expected of it. Each citizen
is directly interested in tue preserya-
ton Of the public health, aud We
! earnestly appeal 10 the public 10 aid
lis in preventing and removing any cause
| calculated TO engender disease. Let each
| citizen see that the premises occupied by
him aud his servants are kept in ceanly
condition (weekl1 if not daily inspections
should be Inade). BY premises we mean not
only the buildings and grounds within his
enclosures, but the sidewalks ar cutters in
front of and on the side OF such enclosure.
The ordinance Of the city requires al! such
to be kept in thorough order, and It's pro.
visions Will be enforced. As fur as the lin
tied force allowed the Boar d can aid the citi-
zens, they may rely upon their constant US.
slstance.
All refuse matter should he at once re-
moved, and the places OF deposit for such
| matter should be lined. Cellars should be
we'll aired and liIle washed. Sinks should
be cleanscd, and dislnfected not only 1T the
time OF cleansing them: but frequently
throughout the season. The cutters, espt.
cia!!y where the waste water is allowed to
flow into them, must he kept free aud unob-
structcd.
Let each citizen see that his premises are
not only kept 10 Il cieanly condition, but ttaC
every part OF his dwelling Is thoroughly yea.
tilated from garrct to ceildr--the last tue
most important. Let light and air have fr, e
circulation every day. abandon the use Of
6dSpDaent5 as dre!tings Let each citizen be tis
own health officer, so far rs bi, family and PFC
mIscs are concerned, reporting any one who
neglects the usual sanitary precautions which
experience and science have established as
necessary for the preservation of the public
health. The Board of Health receive these
Dotices and are thankful tor then, but in no
instance Is the name OF the informer given.
This Board is supplied with only three saul-
tary inspectors for q territory of sos square
miles; hence we invoke the assistance o. cti-
zens in reporting nuisances.
Not only the cellars OF dwellings need tbs
supervision, but those OF stores and offices
require the same. Many OF these are seitom
opened, and Wnen they are the foul air esca-
ping from them prevents IN examination uG-
til they are purified by the external air.
Many dwelling, store, or office, is rendered
unsuitcd for human habitauon by the foul
air generated by this neglect of ventilation. :.
The gases thus created and concentrated
find IN exit through the fJors and perlnea;e
all the upper rooms, and disease is thus Gre
ated-itS cause uCrecogniZed.
For damp cellars, after the removal of al
dirt, &c, and lime.washng the sides, we
recommend the dusting of the floors With
rcccntly-slacked lime. or powdered plaster
of paris. This last substance should be used
in all stables, co"-house;, and on manure-
heaps. For the disinfeciion of priyies and
sinks we recommend the folOwing-a cheap
and efrctual means Of rendering them iu-
offensive. The quantity necessary will! de-
pend upon th" size OF ths place to be dis
infected:
Copperas, one pound;
Carbollc acid Alid, one ounce;
Water, one gallon.
Foul cutters can be e.iectually and cleaply
dsintectcd by uslng lime stacked TO pow.
der-tha recently Stacked the best.
As to the individual habits Of The citizen,
we recommend regularity It's to the hours OF
meals, the avoidance OF Mdigestlblc artcle-,
and moderation in the amount partaken OF,
temperance in the use OF stimuIauts,a a pro.
per amount of sleep, prudence in exposure
to the sun and night air rs tar as possible.
The importance Of frequent DathlnS and
change OF clothing canno. be too much
urged. Respectfully,
J. G. CABzLL, NJ. D.,
President OF the Board.