Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-11-27

WOOD PAYMENTS INJURIOUS TO HEALTH.
In the report ofthe special committee on the
condition Of wood pavements In the District
OF Columbia, the following important ques-
ton Ia the basis: Whether wood pavements
in a state of decay. allowing decomposed
animal and vegetable matter to collect in
holes or under the surface, are not source
Of malaria or infection, thus being Injurious
to health. The committee were also required
to examine and report upon the condition of
the wood payements OF Washington and
Georgetown. The whole subject has been
ably and exhaustively treated by the COM
mittee. Since the report was communicated
to the board, condemning upon scientific
them highly insanitary, In a state OF decay,
numerous letters have been received from
other health organizations endorsing the
conclusions of the committee.
FOOD INSPECTION.
The food inspectors of the Board are re-
quired daily to visit the markets, green gro
ceries. &c, and condemn such articles as are
diseased and unsoupd. An immense work
has been accomplished through the diligence
of these officers; yet IL must be admitted that
covered by the imperfect means at COM
mand. In order to efficiently comply with
the law forbidding the sale of unwholesome
food, the practical application OF chemistry
diet. by skilled inspectors, is imperatively
demanded. For the Investigation of various
forms OF disease, and of insect life I'm certain
kinds of meats. as well as the detection of
impure and poisonOrs authorizations in a
large class of articles of daily food, a suffi-
cient appropriation should be promptly
made. Authorizations OF the commOnest
necessaries of life is a rapidly increasing
evil. and should, If possible, be arrested.
While our inspectors have accomplished
most important work by protecting the COM
imposition OF unsOund articles o. fool, It
must be admitted that the increasing sani-
higher standard OF personal qualification,
and more perfect method of exposing the
various poisons: To this end the Board has
already adopted higher plane of qualifi ca
ton to be required of employees.
water Supply.
The quality and supply of drinking water
constitute considerations of growing interest
to scientists and sanitarians. 1t Is a conceded
fact that many disorders are justly referable
TO cOntagion contained in drinking water.
The researches of prominent medical observ-
ers demonstrate that cholera and many fe-
vers, especially typhoid, may be traced to
the impurities of the water we drink. 1t will
be remembered that last spring the Potomac
water became suddenly turbid and charged
with offensive matter to a degree demanding
prompt inquiry into its condition. Opinions
were divided in regard to the cause of the
1mpurity. TIE suggestion of the chief eDgi-
neer OF the Washington aqueduct In regard
TO the enlargement OF the reservoirs and the
application of filters, deserves especial at
tent1on, as presenting the most available
means for adding to the supply of water in
the more elevated locations, now imperfect
ly furnished by virtue of the immense waste
which takes place in other sections of the
city. The occasional impurities alluded to
can best be corrected by proper filtra-
ton at the point OF general distribution,
in the pipes ne ar the entrance into buildings;
or by small f1ltering arrangements in toe
should bear the smallest poss ible tax; but
unequally as at present dtstribute ted and law
ishly wasted, some check would seem to be
desirable, If rot imperative. The amount of
water provided to the District is abundant
to an extent well nigh unparalleled. At pres
emf, If equally distributed each man. wo-
man and child in the cities of Washington
ard GeorgetOwSwOuld have a daily supply
of at least 40 gallons; but it is not equally
distributed, for while one part of the COM
munity keeps Its pipes running continually.
another part may be actually stinted in its
proportion. Hence the advantage of a gem
eral and required use of meters, that no
private citizen, corporation, or branch of
government may consume more than a fair
allowance without paying for the surplus.
The very check TO the extravagant waste or
overflow would give time for water to settle
in the reservoir, thus relieving rs of the
periodical visitations of mud.
Public Buildings. Schools and Pri.
yate Dwellings.
The sanitary condition of our public build
ings refer especially to overheating, made
qGate ventilation, and overcrowding. The
duties OF the board have heen confined to an
inspection OF the mischief they arc as yet
powerless TO remedy. The earnest attention
of Congress is invoked for the means to cor
rect the evils that have too long remained q
government. Similar defects exist in the
internal arrangements of our school build =
ings. One of the most serious Outrages upon
the health and lives Of the young is system
of forced education, which still to some ex-
tent prevails. Nothing is more pernicious.
or sure TO be succeeded by premature decay
of both mind and body. The number of hours
proper for the detention OF pupils IN school,
the mechanical appliances of the building,
The period and amount of exercise, the aesth-
etc arrangements for amusement or diver
enter If
the school-rOOm. Unwarrantable neglect
and carelessness not unfrequently prevail In
connection with the sanitary needs OF houses.
Hot-sir furnaces, defective drain pipes i'm
perfect water pipes and sewer connections
and many other defects exist in the most
splendid private residences, poisoning the
air. and bringing the inmates to sickness
and death. The furnace 10 heat air twhen its
iron is near red lheat, fills the apart
ments above with more or less diluted poi
son. Stoves of terra Gotta have been sug-
gesfed, but have not made their appearance
here; steam heating apparatus is costly,
though every year less SO. Meanwhile those
continuing to use furnaces may sayefhe gen.
eral health of their households by observing
two rules:-''DOn't let the iron of the furnace
approach red heat, except while the draft is
come higher than the lining" The use of a
proper evaporation will render the atmos-
pbere OF the house far more tolerable and
less injurious.
In number Of our principal cities ordi-
nances have been enacted looking to the
medical inspection of prostitutes, and the
sequestratiOn of the diseased, with the view
OF arrestiDg the spread of q malady appaI-
ing In its effects, not only upon the victim,
but npon bis nnofIerding posterity. The
legalizatiOn of bawdy houses for SO humane
purpose, startling as 1t may be to a sensi-
tive moral sense, has many powerful advo-
Gates among the thoughtful, wise, and phi
lanthrOpic of communities. DR.. Gross, of
Philadelphia, says 1.-THE prejudices which
surround the subject must be swept away,
and men must march to the front and dis
charge their duty, however much they may
be reprOached and abused by the Ignorant
and foolish" l have alluded to this subject
because IL is at TINS time attracting The at
tentiOn of hunanitarians and sanitarians In
various parts of tire country, and may at no
distant day be forced upon the consideration
Of the health authorities of this District.
SMALL POX.
Since the complete extineuishment by the
board OF the epidemic which prevailed In
this District two years ago, extraordinary
exemption from the disease has been experi-
enced. Recently. however, the occurrence of
case In the heart of the city became a
cause of disquietude. A few exposed indi-
viduals have since been affected with the
N hU hint hn vfufI