Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1874-12-05
SanIiarY Maiters In 80 r,is,rIc,-

ANNUAL REPORT CF TIE BSAcD yF HEALTH
The annual report o. DIR. =. q. OK, p-eSi-
dent OF the Board Of Health. has been prepared
After IehearsiDg what has been accomplished
Ia the way Of sanitary reform alton since t5e or
gapiZatIOn of the board in lS7l, he refers ID the
inauguration of a correspondence With the gov
eInmenfs OF Europe upon subjects of slnit3ry
science. The trecsuTer's accounts present q
showing OF receipts Ifom the United States OF
Sil.5lU. from the District or Columbia, SIS
6S7..9. making the total 20 be sccDunte Il for
sb7.2Ds.Z9; total expenditure, 50 ,49j 8, bal
ance on hand, 81 I6l.s0.
VITAL STATISTICS
are referred 20, and the advantages Of q system
which cOmpels returns by physicians and others
OF such data as caun0t 6e obtained by the vol
nutary system heretofore in vogue IN the
District OF Columbia. Tae total number Of
deaths fer the year ending 3gth September, 1874
vas 651, Il IS per cent. of the entire population
Of the District. or this number the very sm al
proportion OF ZvmOtic diseases (GI51 indicates
the successful efforts OF the Board OF Health in
diminishing the causes which give rise to this
class OF malsGies, proving ct the same time that
they are completely under the control OF pre-
ventive sanitary measures, vigorously enfOrc I'd
In alludiug to the dIarFhGesI forms OF zym0tie
diseases, usually so prevalent aud destructive
during the summer months, the report states tre
total number OF deaths therefrOm at only 3ts3
1883 per cent. Of the total annual mortality, or
40 per LOCO Of the entire .popalstioa. The
largest number OF deaths during the year have
resulted from phtbisis pulEOnalis pulmonary
consUmptiOn), the whole being s36, 10 SO per
cent OF the entire mortality, or 200 per 900.
n i
a'so worthy Of remark that npou a careful om-
putai'On the number Of colored persons dyip5
from this cause fully duplicates that OF the
while victims OF this appalling disease.
TEE LARGE TEPAHT MORTALITY
of Washington and Ge0rgetown, indicated by
the tables OF the registrar, Is = 1ie. a. in Q.her
cities, 70 neglect OF proper hygienic preclu-
tions. As already stated, bad sgerage fiIthy
streets ard alleys, d. ventilated houses and i'm
pure or insufficient food sre the Constantly op.
Grating causes which destroy our cherished off
spring. Responsible for this wholesale slsug ghtsr
OF the lnnocenfs are not only careless and incOn-
slderate parents, but Ignorant and reckless en-
giDeers, architects and civ officials, who. ami
mated by mercenary considerations, refUss to
provide suitable means OF air and exerci-s so es-
sentIal TO infants, or other modes Of contributing
to their physical sanity and development.
eEN. BABCooK CoMPLIMENTRD.
In this connection / cannot avoid making
mention OF the superior sanitary advantages
possessed by Washington in her public parks
squares and reservations. Under the directing
taste, energy and skill OF the accomplished
Superintendent of public buildings and grounds
General o. e. Babcock) thee Improvements
have become among the NEST attractive and
beneficial features Of the city. To this gentle
are only excelled by his broad, comprehensive
humanity, this community owes a debt Of eratl-
tude which coming generations will not safer
to be forgotten.
GEARING xuIsASoKs.
The reoort points to tue N 1rshy banks OF the
Eastern branch and Potomac as S1urces OF
n6ldrlhl IOlkOup tOuc cucCbANo pfOsEccS
in the direction of tins nest glazing OF nuslnces;
recommends rs importlnt the substitution Of
cemented vaults below the surface OF the
q 3und in Item OF prlvy-b0xes now in uss, ana
calls attention 10 great injury now resulting
from these receptscles, filled with fermenting
focal matter, some thirty or forty tons con-
stantly remaining distributedsn all parts Of the
city.
LARGE EXTENSION or POWER FOE TIE BOARD
ASKED FOR.
Additional legislation is invoked in order to
the more perfect control OF cftain iDsanitary
agencies rot covered by or but partially in.
Guided in existIng laws. For example, where
lots contaiuing stagnant water are owned by
non-residenfs, fhe Board Of Health should have
the power OF absting nuisance, and of assessing
the property in order to cover the expenSe Of
such abate ment. No reason exists why a tar
should not De imposed In this as In other i'm
prosements- The same rule should apply TO all
nuisaBces ioupd on premises, the owners Of
which are aon-resident or cannot be found.
The penal Of neglect or rei usal u comply
with noties to abate should be fine, coupled
with an oiaer Of the co1rt compelling immedi-
ate compa nee on the part OF the delin-
quent Tie health officer and his inspsc-
tors shoul1 have power to search premises