The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-03-16

l4water-mains. AS the use of o. closet con
nected with the public sewer Is a nuisanc
unless supplied with an abundant dow 3
iWater, and as the Board is required +,
cause the connection TO be made, a,
Iqucstion presents ITSELF whether it woult
met be iudlcious to- enact "a similal
lprovision requiring the owners OF propert,
to introduce water upon the premises. Th,
wells OF the city are generally contaminated
land the sooner their use Is discontinued thi
better for the general health. II is to b.
regretted that the public hydrants In diff
iferent sections of the cityihave been discon
|tinued. We respectfully suggest that they
be again allowed to flow. The blessings o
Ipure water are inestimable, and our city
fathers should supply the needy with this
element. or be prepared to enlarge the &c
commodations at the aImshouse.
| The Board renews its recommendation as
to the introduction of ventiIat:ng tubes
connected with the sewers where new
dwellings are erected and closets put in
The health Of families is involved in this
question. The remedy for apprehended evils
from sewer-gas is simple, and, compared
to the advantages secured, OF slight cost
Adequate means should also be provided
for the
vESTILAT1oN OF PUBLIC sEwERs.-sHocKoE
| CREEK.
| This can be accomplished in two ways
one by erecting yentillating tubessin the
sides Of buildings and carried above the
roof; the other by introducing perforated
covers to the man-hoes at the intersection
of the streets. These eXpedients adopted,
we may confidently dismiss our fears as to
any apprehended injury from sewer-gas in
our houses. The health authorities Of all
large cities acknowledge the necessity OF
providing free ventilation to the sewers.
In several, the modes we suggest have
been adopted; in others, the subject
occupies their attention. A conference
OF the Board with the City Engineer and
the permanent Secretary OF the State Board
of Health has resulted in the recommends
ton of q plan which, in their combined
opinion, will remove the danger Of sewer
gas. Greatly impressed with the import
ance OF this subject, we requested the City
Engineer to prepare drawings to explain
the manner in which this may be accom-
plished, which has been done, and they
are submitted to the Council with explana-
tions.
The Board next refers to Sbockoe
creek, and says that If the finances
of the city do not justify the con-
struction Of large covered culyert
over it in lis passage throughout the city
we respectfully repeat the suggestion that
its course be defined and narrowed so as to
render the flow OF water more rapid, and
thus better convey the contents OF the sew
ers. The Board asks that operations be
commenced at Union streetand be extended
this year to Broad. In constructing either
a brick or stone culvert in that locality, it is
thought that it will be necessary to build
upon plies, and work now done will answer
hereafter for the superstructure. The value
Of the adjoining property will be greatly
advanced by such an Improvement, and it
is reasonable to presume that the owners
will gladly bear share Of the cost OF per-
manently improving that section.
DIPHTHERIA AND sCARLET-FEvER.
Under this heading the Board says: Last
wear we felt warranted in calling attention
to means Of disinfection lin cases where
these diseases appeared) as likely to pre-
vent dissemination Of the contagion. We
again urge that the same precautions be
used, but in addition, in case Of death from
either of these maladies, notice should be
given OF the cause Of death, and in no case
Should the body be taken to the church,
and tho funeral should be as private as pos
sible, all young persons being excluded.
Early burials should in all such cases be
encouraged. Until the passage of an ordi-
nance requiring physicians to report dis
eases OF this character no action can be
taken by the Board to require early burials.
SMALLPOX.
To the thoughtless it may seem useless to
call attention to the dangers to be appre-
hended from smallpox, as no case appeared
last year in this city. But as our annual re-
port is the proper channel in which we can
give our views, not only to your bodies, but
to the public, we avail ourselves Of this me
dunn to urge upon our citizens the necessity
OF having their infant children vacclnated.
No child should be allowed to attain the age
of four months without being vaccinated.
All prudent persons would avail themselves
of its protecting influence at much earlier
date.
The Board next refers to the police sani-
tary inspectors, their increased efficiency in
the discharge OF their duties, and the i'm
portance Of the positions they occupy.
Accompanying the report of the Board is
the report of the Assistant superintendent
of the Chain-Gang.
The Board concludes its report by ex-
pressing the hope that the advise heretofore
given for the Improvement OF the public
health may be needed. None but phys!-
clans and boards Of health pay much atten-
tion to these subjects.
The laws governing hygiene are simple,
and can be comprehended by anyone.
Our communities are not aroused to the
Importance of the subject until an cpl
demic makes its appearance and its rayges
are shown. Then 1t is that municipal au-
thorities, approaching their dereliction in
the past in not clothing its health organlza-
tions with sufficient discretion, rush forward
and bestow unlimited powers: but in many
instances at too late date. Cleanliness OF
persons, and cleanliness OF honses and prem
ises. ventilation and admission OF sunlight,
with proper drainage, will secure stand
ard Of health as high as is compatible with
the laws OF God. We urge nothing further
than that our municipal authorities VIII
consider the suggestions we have from time
TO time made, and, if in their wisdom
deemed advisable, adopt means to carry
them out.
UNCLAIMED LETTERS.-Among the un'
claimed letters and postals remaining IN the
Richmond post-ottice are those addressed az
follows: j. F. Nuckols, Mrs. Delpha Mel
son, A. Ostwald, j. Henry Palmer (2), Mary
Padgc, Mary Patterson, 1923 st. Mary street
John NJ. Petit, A. 3. Pierce, Miss Mamie
Pleasants, care OF Judge 6. w. Pleasants
Charles e. Post, T. L. Powell, w. T. Pur.
fer. Mrs. l.. D. Moore, A. NJ. Read, CraW'
ford Redd, Julia Robinson, Ed. j. Rose,
Eppa Robinson.
I>o ar