The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-03-15
TIzE BOARD OF HEALTH.

THE BOARD OF HEALTH.
II j .ifIii.4fEJ - - - ----.i; Tn 2:
Annual Report ON the Sanitary Con.
-.s'' tfition Of the City. 2'i-' p.
;1J.i>s ~! o---t 80 80 J. 4.." @se
NUMBER OF BIRTHS.AND DEATHs-INJURY
TO GsHADE-TREEs-THE THEtCANALl lMIAsMA--
THE DANGER OF EPIDEMrCs-sAPETY OF
PUBLIC HALLs-DR. TkYLoR's ANALYSIS
pF JAMES RIVER wATER-DANGERoUs
DISEASES, &C. IL a ...-.a-.t ,,:.sl;s 4 gg.s,
From DR.. Cabeli's report OF the Board Of
Health it is ascertalned that during the fis-
cal year the whole number OF births oc-
curing in the city, including 1874 stil-births,
amounted to 2,121-an increase Of 116 over
the number recorded in 1876. The number
Of marriages was 545-an increase Of Sc over
the preceding year. The number Of deaths
in the city was 1,649-an increase Of 81 over
thenumber In 1875. This increase is more
than accounted for blythe fatality attending
the epidemic OF whooping-cough which pre-
vailed so generally during the past year.
This disease caused 72 deaths, while only
three were so reported in 1876. The very
intense heat in July sensibly affected the
death-list OF that month-sunstroke alone
causing eight deaths. AS the city increases
in population we may reasonably expectan
increase in the number Of deaths; but no
increase in the death-rate per thousand,
provided sufficient effort is made to
counteract and destroy the genera
tors Of disease. For the labOrs OF the
Board to be etfectual they need the co5pera
ton of the citizens. There is too much re-
missness on the part Of individuals. Ii the
citizens would show more zeal in keeping
their lots cleanly and their dwellings freely
ventilated and open to the admission of
sunlight, less sickness and death would be
the result. The authorities now cheerfuly
and regularly remove materials preiudcial
to health, thus relieving the citizens Of bur-
dens which in former years were imposed
upon them. Public health ia a public boon
to be secured rs much by individual atten-
tion and efforts az by the systematized la-
bors Of the sanitary force. Neither can be
effective without the constant cooperation Of
the other. .-.E' .t
We estimate that the population of this
city at the middle Of the past year was
75,O0O-white, 1880; colored, S2,17O.
CLEANLINESS OF STREETS.
The Board are satisfied that, even with
the disadvantages under which theyIabored
in the past year, the city was never kept in
as cleanly a condition.
In addition to the amendments to the cul-
vert ordinance proposed by the Committee
on Streets the Board OF Health suggest that
in the future it be required Of all persons
connecting new buildings with the sewers
to introduce ventilators between the trap
and the culvert; said ventilators to be ex-
tended to the top OF the dwellings with
which the culvert system is introduced /;
that all petitions for exemption from the
operation OF the "culvert ordinance" be
referred to the Committee on Health; and
that the same committee be instructed to
inquire whether sufficient reasons exist fol
the continuation OF exemptions heretofore
granted.
INJURY TO TREES,
The Board express regret at the injury
done to the shade-trees in the city BY
Strengthening the curbstones which have
been displaced by the growth OF the trees.
The desire to preserve the symmetry Of the
streets in this way ieopardizes the comfort
and health OF its citizens. .Byqthis opera.
tion many graceful and beautiful tree has
been destroyed, and the cost and attention
bestowed upon it been completely lost. The
Board advise that citizens be empower
ed and required hereafter in planting shade.
trees on the sidewalks to place them further
from the curbstones, the distance to be
fixed by the City Engineer.
THE CANAL MIAsAA. ..
The Board suggested to the canal com.
pany to require of the establishments using
their water-power to adopt expedients
which would relieve the company from the
necessity of drawing off the water from the
first level. One Of the eXpedents recon-
mended by engineers was to require Of par
ties using this power to construct double
gates to the outlets connecting their works
with the canal. The failure to demand
these improvements Of such establishments
suggests the importance. and necessity OF
some action on the part Of the Council. The
city is not only interested in this matter, but
the district of land bordering ON the canal
from the limits Of the city to the first locks,
and the country adjacent for great dis
tance into the interior, feel the effects result
ing from this practice. The health OF all
that section is jeopardized, the value Of the
land for residences is lowered, and the resi-
dents and owners Of the property appeal to
tue SOuuCli W plotCSo IiiCih.
QUARANTINE.
During the year the powers conferred
l1pon the Board for establishing quarantine
have been exercised by the Board in one
case. The authority was used SO far as
TO REQUIRE the captain Of schooner upon
which a case Of smallpox appeared to re-
move his vessel from the dock and anchor
several miles below the city until his craft
had been thoroughly disinfected.
During the past year fears were enter
tanned that an epidemic of very contagious
nature, which prevailed in city with which
ours was in most intimate relations, might,
in consequence Of that intimate association,
be introduced in our midst, and the subject
OF establishing quarantine and the necessity
therefor was grayely considered. Such was
the anxiety on the subject that the Health
authorities OF Petersburg, fully alive to a
similar danger, addressed US communities
tion on the subject, and asked our co0pe-
ration in establishing quarantine at City
Point, so as to protect both cities from the
apprehended evil arising from that partic'
ular locality. The Board thought it unad
yisable to take any steps of that time, bul
assured the authorities Of Petersburg that
in the event of the necessity for action
Richmond would cheerfully unite with theil
city in any measures which would secure
the end desired. i ~.
The Board say this subject is worthy o.
the consideration Of the Council, and In
uuiries should be inaugurated which woulc
enable Us in the future to establish quaran
tine when necessary at the least cost to the
city and its commerce
An unfoundsd idea prevails that Rich
mond may feel assured that yelloW-feYer
the disease OF all others more certainl!
barred by quarantine, cannot prevail in oul
midst. =.
I, /. .ze:it .,f ! PLACES OF AMUSEMENT. p @.g e
The Board saY that the experience O