Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1877-09-05
A Source Of Disease and Death

A Source Of Disease and Death.
THE REPORT OF A COMMITTEE OF THE
BOARD OF HEALTH ON THE CONDITIONS
OF THE POTOMAC RIvER-NEcEssITY FOR
ITS IMPROVEMENT.
At a meeting OF the Board of Health last
night, DR.. Verdi IN the chair, five frame
shanties, 5th and L streets southeast, and
slaughter house, corner Canal and L streets
southeast, were condemned as nuisances,
and the health officer was authorized TO aoate
the same
DIR. Verdi, from the sanitary committee.
submitted report upon the importance OF
improving the river front opposite this city
and GEORGETOWN, in view of the vast area
now partially submerged, and giving out
poisonous emanations, generating malaria
and creating disease.
THE REPORT
states that they have carefully examined the
river nuisance, and that marshy deposits eX.
Ohio canal, NOW abandoned and south by
the channel of the Potomac, that from the
Long Bridge extending eastward are revealed
similar deposits, constituting an almost I'M
broken and direct line to Giesboro Point; the
same condition continuing nOrthward along
the Eastern Branch as far as Benning's
bridge. These deposits are the result of accu-
mulated debris from the percOlatiOn of ada
cent shores, the gradual accretion of many
years. The waters of the cities of Washing
ton and Georgetown falling gradually from
the hills north of us TO the Potomac river, it
follows that many miles of sewers, the re-
ceptacles of all the filth of the metropolis,
are dire cted towards the river, and debouch
In the very marshes inquestiOn. The quaint
ty OF such pernicious material constantly
flowing to the river is almost incalculab lie,
but certainly amounts to
THOUSANDS OF TONS
annually. This putrescent matter enters
into these marshes, TO be stirred by the tides,
and imperfecily carried off on account o. the
immense masses OF rank vegetation which
obstTuct It's course. The tidal currents being
unable TO bear away effectively the sCii-
mentary matters against the power of re-
turning waters, this half-dissolved putrid
matter. with the foul additions gathered in
its laggard course, is brought back by eddies
over these fats only to rankle and fermeut
at the refluX Of every tide, concentrating
the surrounding atmosphere far and wide by
its offensive and pestiferous ettiuvia. The
character of these deposits iSsuch as to favor
the development of n rank vegetation, be-
coming the receptacle for an endless organic
growth subject TO incessant putTefactiOn.
This unseen laboratory of life and death af-
lords birth and burial 10 myriads of plants
and animalculap. The surface of these
marshes, covered by water or exposed to the
rays of screening sun, presents green
carpet covered with corhTva and infusOria.
Whatever its condition, whether submerged
or hidden under luXuriant vegetation, the
collections on these areas form indus for
fermentation and decay which should not
escape the attention of the sanitarian.
WHAT STATISTICS SHOW.
The records OF the registrar of vital statiS-
tics of our board of health give the following
percentage of the mortality from zymOtic or
preventable diseases: ISIS, 95S, or 2l.90 of total
number OF deaths; 1876, $50, or 22.Ol of total
number of deaths; 1871, elS, or 2202 OF total
mum Der of deaths.
The abatement of the river marshes would
remove a most prolific source of malaria,
and hence your committee does not hesitate
10 declare mat, these grounds reclaimed,
properly drained and filled, the mortality
from zymotic diseases in Washington will
be reduced to minimum.
The local malaria affects strangers, viz:
nrafFN
elevated districts, much more sensibly than
the den1Zens Of the city. We have many
such coming to Washington, the capital of
the nation, at all times and seasons. The
Representatives, the foreign ministers, and a
multitude of army and navy officers, depart
mentai clerks and their families are among
the temporary residents of the District of
COlum bia whose health is put in the greatest
jeopardy by malaria. The Presidential man
sion is but a few thousand yards from the
marshes, and It's inmates, as is well known,
have TO some extent suffered from the agen-
ctes alluded TO herein. 1t is for this reason
that successive occupants of the White House
nave sought other homes during the summer
season.
ABOUT 400 ACRES OF THESE swhMPs
lie on the northern shore OF the Potomac be-
tween Georgetown and the Long bridge, and
within q few thousand yards of the WIN
Gows OF the Presidential mansion, of the
Treasury, Navy, War and Agricultural de-
psrtments ard Smithsonian Institute. In
this space debouch three sewers, main at
the terminus of 18th street, and two lateralS
at the terminus of 18th street.
The foul contents OF these sewers are
emPtied into the marshes, where they are
arrested BY The thick vegetation growing
thereon. These deposits rise and fall with
the tide, and after the water has receded can
be seen boiling and seeihing over the sur
face. Add To this the decomposition OF the
enormous annual vegetation, and picture
of horror is brought to view that would
make us doubt the intelligent appreciation
of a community or government that can tol-
crate such q calamity.
Everywhere we hear of governments en-
gagged beToically IN the sanitary rehabilita
ton of such inss lubriOus ground.
Tie condition alluded 20 have been
SERIOUS SUBJECT OF COMPLAINT
by our citizens for years. Congress has been
memoralized several times, but has, so far.
limited itself 10 the ordering of a survey AMI
lhVltlng plans Tor It's Abatement. CON
mission was appointed by the Pres idenG in
lo'2, CONF osed OF engineers of the army, the
ohieft of the Coast Survey, engineer of pub
lie buildings and GROUNDS, the governor of
the District ard several prominent citizens
OF the same. The commission presented a
report, together with maps and plans; AMI
the mode of abatement therein suggested is
so well digested as TO render whatever the
superhuous. Your committee is satisfied
that the plans thus presented by the COM
mission would be effective in abating the
nuisance, and become q prolific source of
revenue 10 the District treasury from the sale
OF lands and Wharfage. IN addition to these
advantages, the channel OF the river would
be deepened and greatly improved, thus Sc
curing, together with an extended and ac-
cessible wharfage, a commerce which would
incrt ase the prosperity OF the District TO an
incalculable degree.
In concluding the committee say: We
therefore again plead for the health OF our
people, and pray that the President of the
United States in his forthcoming MESA ge
Will invite the attention of Congress TO the
condition OF these lands, aud that that boiy
Will give due consideration to this most i'm
portant mat tier, and by appropriate legisla-
tion provide some plan by which the evils
existing may be permanently corrected
The report was adopted.
Prof. Langston offered a resolution that q
copy be sent TO the President of the United
States, and that the secretary be directed 20
purchase goo copies OF either of the daily
papers containing the report in full, and that
marked copies be sent TO Senators and mem
beIs of Congress. Adopted.
The Charge OF False Pretences.
WASHINGTON, ID. C., Sept. 1, 1877.
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