Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-10-09
RoaFd or T.ea.sh.
THE MEETING LAST NIGHT.

nlEnt tHc olulldtce committee 10 WDiC0 was
referred, at previous meeting, the report
fioru the registrar of vital statistics TO the
effect that seventy deaths OF infants were re
ported for the month of August whose
BIRTHS HAVE NEvER BEEN REPORTED
to The office, reported that the registrar has
ample powers COZ ferred upon him to Ia Ike
some action against physicians who neglect
or refuse to comply with the rules and Ordi-
Dances of the board In keeping a complete
record of such data, and directing that the
health officer ascertain where the fault lies
IN each case 70 the END that the attorney FOR
the board may institute legal proceedings
against the offenders; adopted
THE MIDWIFE QUESTION.
In the case of the death of the infant Of
VIM. and Mrs Simpson, the alleged cause OF
which was the ignorance of the midwife,
Martha Fortune, which subject was referred
TO the ordinance committee, a report was
made that the Board of Health has no power
to interdict the practice OF mid wifery, but
recommended that the Board of Health pro-
cure some legislative measures requiring ex-
animation of the qualifications OF all mid
wives who practice In this District.
A MORE SCIENTIFIC INSPECTION OF FOOD
NEEDED.
Dr Nerdl, from the committee on food, to
whom was referred the matter of Inspecting
food in accordance with the ordinances, re
ported that the committee have come to the
conclusion that to carry out the provisions
OF such ordinances inspectors not only prac-
tlcal but learned In the science OF chemical
analysis and microscopy are required; that
the present inspectors have done their duty
faithfully so far as their limited knowledge
permits, but from want of educational train
Ing are unqualified TO inspect and condemn
food according to the spirit of the law, ex-
cepting, however the inspector of fish, who
appears TO understand the department en-
trusted TO his care: that in order to organize
q system that will meet the requirements a
person learned I'm analytical chemistry aud
microscopy should be employed, whose duty
shall be TO examine every specimen of fool
submitted 10 him by the tests recognized by
the best authorities on the subject, and in
diseased meat, impurities and authorizations
in bread, milk, and the various articles ex-
posed Tor sale, by such means and tests as
" would not he cOntrOverted by other experts
in the courts of law; that In consultation
with the health officer, vino appreciates our
Efforts, il is found that a street inspertoT
may be dropped from the rolls without in
jury 10 that department o. the sanitary ser.
vice, and the money thus saved, your com
mittee would recommend. be appropriated
M d aided To- the expense for the service OF
food inspection. Adopted.
PREMISES CUNDEMNED.
On the recommendation of Health Officer
keene The board condemned premises No
9ll ID street, premises on 18th street, between
6 and III streets northeast, owned by John
Burnside, and frame building i'm alley, be-
tween and +, New JERSEY avenue and
North Capitol streets.
THE REPORT OF VITAL STATISTICS
for the week ending October 2d was submit
ted, showing the number of deaths 10 have
oeen I5-white, "a, and cOlOred, Al. PrOmi-
ntnt among the causes were consumption, OF
which there were Is deaths; typhoid fever,
>; cholera iDfantum, 3; whOOplng cough, q;
Typhoid malarial fever, 2; Zero spinal menin-
gifts, 3; inanition, 2; marasmus, 2; apOplexy
2; convulsiOns, g. trismus nascentium, 2:
pneumonia, .; gastritis, ?; premature births,
2; debility, 2; debility seDile, Is.
Thirteen of the number were from to =
years of age, five from 20 to 50, from 30 to
1C0, and one above leo years. The number of
marriages reported were IL, and the number
OF births 9S.
The mortality for the week was one more
Than last week, and at the rate of 24.37 per
1000 per annum. 1854 per cent. of the deaths
were from ZymOtic diseases, 4.00 from con
stitutional, 1888 from local. 1900 from de-
yelOpmental, and 133 from violence Rate
OF mortality of the white population was Is 81
per 1000 per annum, while the mortality of
The colOred population was A. .3S per 1000 for
the same period. Rate of increase of the
white population by births over deaths It.47
per lCOO; while the decrease of the cOlOrad
pOpu1a ton by deaths over births was 10 10
per 1000 per anDum.
MIsCELLANEOEs MATTERS.
The secretary proceeded TO read the re-
board.
DIR. Cox submitted a resolution that from
and after this cate no leave of absence, with
pay. shall be granted by the board TO any one
Ia the service, and no emplOye of the board
SHAH receive any extra compensation, except
for services actually rendered.
POWERS OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH
The chairman of the ordinance committee
MADE report on the powers of the Commits
sl0uers 10 cause lots below the grade to be
blled where staSu ant water stands, creating
nuisance Injurious to health, and read an
opinion of Joseph III. Bradley, esq which
the committee had obtained bearing on that
subject. Mr.. Bradley 5akes the ground that
the Board of Health have authority and
power 10 declare what are nuisances over
and above the common law; to require their
removal by the parties who caused or per
mltted them, whether public bodies or pri-
Vate associations; TO present to the grand
jury for indictment all cases of nuisance and
have the authorities punished by law; to en-
Ter on private property and abate nuisances;
but IL is doubtful If the bOaru can, in any
way, create a civil contract between the
board and the authors of the nuisance by
which You may be reimbursed for expenses
incurred in the removal of the nuisance and
quite certainly you cannot create a lien upon
The land or impose a tax on il.
N--
NATIONAL THEATRE.-Next week we will
have the renowned "VOkes Family at this
cosy theatre. They are excellent artists in
their line, interesting and laughable, and
should draw crowded houses nightly. The
Nokes will supply variety to the perform
ances of this week in the way of sfde-split-
ting burlesque with lively music.
~
PARTIES DESTROYS of purchasing property
for home or speculation should call on f.
W. Miller Co, 915 + street northwest. 7