The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-11-22

| The American Public Health Association
resumed business at 1915 Yesterday morn.
| ing-Dr. Elisha Harris, OF New York (the
president), In the chair.
| A number OF resolutions were presented
4 and referred to committees under the order
previously adopted by the Executive Com
1 mittee.
The reporter was only able to get the fol.
lowing resolutions offered. The others
/ passed into the hands Of the Executive
Committee, and will be heard from here
| after: l/A..S
By q. X. Marshall, D. D.:
| /. ReSctued, That we respectfully urge
npon the General Government OF the
United States the appointment OF a commits
sion OF competent citizens, who shall be
authorized to visit Havana for the purpose
Of investigating the rise and progress OF
the yellow-fever; and they shall be required
to Investigate what may be done, il any
thing. towards the purifying OF ships leaV-
| ing that port during their voyages, and
what further may be done in addition to
the present methods in use for the farther
improvement of the practical workings Of
all improved and general quarantine sys-
| tenn.
2. ReSolued, That the Government be
urged to set apart q sum OF money sufficient
for the full and untrammclled employment
OF all the time and energies OF such COM
mission; and that said commission be COM
posed OF physicians, scientists, and laymen,
who shall enter upon their work with as
| little delay rs practicable.
By Dr.. Vapderpool:
| ReSoLped, That it be earnestly urged upon
the President Of the United States to con-
! fer with the Spanish Government, and re-
quest the appointment OF an international
commission, who shall study yellow-fever
at Havana, its principal place OF cndeml-
cate. with view OF adopting measures
which shall eradicate its spread in that city,
A PROTEST. ....
Major Walthall. OF Alabama, said that
this was the first deliberatiye body OF which
he had ever been member which did not
have control over its own proceedings.
The Executive Committee adopt resolu-
tions regulating the proceedings and simply
report them to this body for information.
What Major Walthal wanted to know was
il there was nothing in the constitution
which permitted the Association to take
control of its own affairs?
The President responded that copy OF
the constitution would be furnished to the
gentleman in few moments. He assured
him that there was no desire on the part OF
the Executive Committee to "cook" busi-
ness.
Major Walthall reiterated that he simply;
desired to inquire il the Association could
| not control its proceedings. He commented
upon the reading at such length of the:
| papers yesterday, and confessed that,
| though he listened attentiyely, he was un-
| able this morning to recollect whether Mr..
Smith lived 1T the corner of Elm and Lal-
rel streets: what direction Mr.. Browns
house is from Mr.. Smith; and at what age
little Mary died, DC. [Applause.l Major
Walthall was deeply impressed with the
Importance Of these reports, but was sure
that it would be much better to have them
put in print, where they could be read at
leisure. ..r.. -.....
1t was evident that large number Of
members symnathized with Maj jor WalthalPs
protest; but after very lengthy statement
from the President motion was made that
business be proceeded with according to the
programme. 1t was carried, Maio Wal
thal asserting, being anxious, he said, to
hear the report OF Colonel Hardee, but re-
serving for himself the right to again call
upon the Association to determine whether
1t can control its own proceedings.
Map Of New Orleans.
Colonel Hardee, one of the levee engi-
neers of Louisiana, consulting engineer OF
the Yellow-Fever Commission, placed a
large map Of New Orleans on a screen, and
explained the chief Typographical features
of the city, and answered several questions
propounded him by members.
! There is no large city in the United States
where there is so much demand for sanitary
work, and where at the same time the natu-
raj disadvantages are greater than i'll New
Orleans.
The system OF drainage was represented
as being circumscribed on account OF en-
bracing only about one-half OF the superii-
cial area within the city limits, or that dis
trict lying between the Metairie Ridge and
the banks OF the river. This drainage is
performed by four draining-machines, which
are located in basin, to which point all
waters from rains or otherwise accumulate
TO be pumped across and through the ridge
into the basin of Lake Pontchartrain.
These machines. are operated by both
steam and water-power-in the latter case
employing wheels about thirty feet in diam
eter, which force the waters from within to
higher level beyond, very similar to an
oyershot water-wheel reversed. This sys.
tenn of drainage is totally inefficient to pro-
duce good and satisfactory sanitary condi-
ton Of the city. on account principally OF
the want OF sufficient reservoirs to hold the
accumulated water before it is entirely dis
charged.
Considerable time was devoted to the de-
scription Of the manner in which the priyy-
vaults in the city are constructed, and the
means used for emptying them. Owing to
the nearness OF the water to the surface,
which is generally within two feet, it has
been found that IN great many instances
these priyy-vaults, which are Of brick con-
! struction, are subject to leakage, and that
excrementary matter percoates through the
surrounding soil, and during the heat OF the
summers sun great quantity OF deletel1ous
eases are eXhaled from the surface. This
may in time be corrected, when under
ground sewers can be established, and the
refuse matter taken off through these new
/ channels. Now, as q matter OF sanitary re-
| form, which can be accomplished without
waiting for greater objects to be achieved,
| it has been proposed as benefit to the Open
drain system that during the summer months
the city's streets should be irrigated by the
water from the Mississippi river, which,
from the 1st OF May to the 1st OF August,
would flow OF its own accord through pipes
connecting with the river, the water during
that period being higher than the gutter
ways Of the adjacent streets. For the re-
mainder OF the year it is proposed that
water be supplied for this same purpose OF
irrigation by means OF stationary engines
at intervals along the river bank. This, 1t
is claimed, will purify the atmosphere by
converting each gutter-way In to a rivulet,
canals or drains by keeping wlater in them