Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-03-27
THE EycF .ssWr coloREp MORTALITY.
Ia Causes aud Cure.
Ane' sher Conference Last hight.

Me <srs. Iangston and Bliss with delegation
y colored clergymen upon the subject of the
colored population of this District with the
view of devising some preventive measures.
The delegation OF clergymen consisted of
Scott, Jacob Mitchell, Arthur T. Brown,
VIM. Warning, Robert Johnson, II. A. Hall.
Henry Bailey, and Alexander CruTmell,
representing various denominations.
Prof LangstOn opened the bali hy stating
that since the last meeting he noticed thai
this subject was attracting a great deal of IN
terest. He had received "a letter from gen
tleman of this city, we'll known for his scien-
tine culture, expressing his qualification that
the members of the Board of Health had
taken up Tue matter, and hoped it would re-
suit in some practical good. This gentleman
expresses his belief that
ONE PROMINENT CAUSE OF DEATH
was on account of both men and women who
labor ell day, out at service i'm hot and bad.
~ ventilated basement and other rooms. ex-
posing themselves to too sudden check of
respiration In going to their homes and
lodging places at right Many persons who
employ servants take no care or heed of their
health. All they want is the most labor
they can get for the smallest amount of
money: the result is that no trouble is taken
as to what they shall eat, drink, or where or
how they shall sleep. This indifference on
the part of the employer and laxlty on the
part of the emplOye as to practicing regular
ana proper habits in the families results in
much harm to the servants
BADLY LODGED SERVANTS.
Rev. Mr.. Scott stated that among his con-
gregation there were probably nearly four
hundred men and women out at work in the
capacity of servants. Many of them lodged
at their own homes at night. They are gen
orally confined at work in close rooms. damp
easements, and other badly ventilated
places, and frequently have TO go long dis
taIrces TO their homes at night, or NAV Be are
showed up to some cOcklOft to sleep in cold
rooms with scant cover. The results are
that they catch cold which often results IA
tally. Among the Older members of his
church III had been quite healthy the past
winter, but many deaths have occurred
among the children: On being questioned if
the practice of holding
LATE NIGHT MEETINGS
were not productive of much sickness, he
SAID he made il rule to close AT 10 O'Clock
for the reason that he thought il resulted i'm
much harm. He thought many made them
selves sick by getting warmed up with shout
ing and excitement, remaining for a long
time In bad atmosphere, with little venti-
latlOn, and then going out into a cold atmOs-
pheTe. He always lowers the windows, and
insists on having fresh air admitted, al
mough ~ rs sometimes unpleasant to some.
Inc disease most prevalent among the young
appears TO be consumption and bad colds
The class of physicians generally employed
are not the best. In cases of hild-bed most
OF the poor employ midwiveS. These mid
wives are of both cOlOrs, and they rarely pos
seSs the requisite knowledge and skill to take
charge of such cases properly, and sometimes
physicians nave 10 be called i'm to save life.
ON being questioned why the poor do not
avail themselves of medicines furnished free
by the apOthecaries paid for that purpose, and
THE PHYSICIANS TO THE POOR,
he stated that very few had any knowled ge
OF such meanS-he did not for himself know
where TO find one of them. During the ten
years OF his experience as "A clergyman he
had never known but one of these physicians.
Mr. Langston explained that there are such
Ofteers who are bound TO wait on all the poor
without charged whenever called upon. He
explained where they are to be found.
MI Scott said he knew nothing of it before,
anu IL ne could be furnished with list he
would read IL before mis- congregation. In
reply TO question, he said he often came
across
couture DOCTORS,
and when he did he always denounced them
and warned the people against them. MANY
OF the novels where can be found groups hud-
died together, would not be used by most
people for horse stables. In his church there
is charitable organization among the wO-
men, The Daughters OF EnOn." In case of
death when the friends are not able to pay,
the funeral expenses collections are taken nm
10 pay Tor plain coffin. On being informed
that the Board OF Health would furnish cof-
FMS in such cases, all seemed TO be much
pleased.
DIR. Bliss explained in detail to the delega-
ton the mode of proceeding when either
medical attendance. medicine or collins are
required.
Mr.. Scott went on to say that there was
among many a total
DISREGARD OF HABITS OF PERSONAL
CLEANLINESS,
but he thought in this particular they were
making rapid improvement OF late. As 10
habits of industry, he thought il was greater
among the women than lthe men, but this
may be from the fact that there is very
little work to be had at present; he had adj
Vocated going into the country for employ
ment, but those. who tried IT generally re-
turned disappointed. The subject of labOring
at one place and lodging at another was
again discussed, and a variety of opinions
expressed-the majority taking the view that
IL would De better for all concerned If ser
wants and laborers were lodged on the prem
lses where employed.
Rev. Mr.. Bailey said his congregation was
small, about one hundred: he makes il a rule
10 commence his night meetings early and
closing early; his church is well ventilated;
deaths have been frequent among the youth
ana infants the past season, from colds and
consumption.
Mr.. Brown, of GEORGETOWN. said the gen
eral health among the colored poor the past
season has been good. There Is much idle
ness among the men on account of
A WANT OF EMPLOYMENT
Men are willing TO work, but cannot find en-
Ployment, and frequently he had seen half a
dozen men following a load of coal for the
job of putting it in for the owner MANY of
the colored people live in alleys and rough
looking shanties, but their sanitary condi-
ton has been much improved of late years.
Mr.. Langston inquired If il was the Gus
tom OF the clergymen to advocate good san
itary habits in their sermons.
Kew. MIR. Crummell said he would answer
mat. II was his custom TO do so. He stated
mat he had been great traveller Doth in this
country and in Europe, and that he had never
DttH III any city Wnere the prlNleS among
the poor are proveTbially so unclean as in
tins city. He had frequently called atten-
ZION To this in his (IsraeD church. The past
season there had been much sickness and
mortality among the children, but not much
among the adults.
NIGHT ENTERTAINMENTS AND IMMORAL
ITY.
His church had incurred a large debt
Which they were trying to pay, and there had
been many fairs and other entertainments
given this winter at the church. He did not
layor this, as he thought such night enter
talnments resulted in much immortality. He
had spoken against IL, advocating the prin-
clple that IL was better 10 be in debt than en-
courage vice. The health of those partjcina--
ting is also injured. bringing disease and
death; He expressed his qualification for the
Knowiedge he had acquired as to medical
medicines, coffins &c He spends
much time in visiting his people and study |
ing their habits. He found many of them |
had bad shelter, which he believed fruitful |
source OF disease. The landlords refuse to |
rtpalr the novels occupied by the poor, but |