The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-03-17

INTERESTING 81 GG ESTIONS FR0M DIR.
CABELL-THE YELLOW-TEyER AID THE
CHANCES FOR AN EPIDEMIC here
DIrIITHERIA, &C. &C.
The annual report Of Dr. J. G.. CaDcll
president OF the Board OF HEALTH has been
sent in. &c gives in the outset Il statement
OF the births, marriages, and deaths OF the
past year. DR.. Cabcl congratulates the
Council upon the flattcring exhibit pre-
Sentcd in the reduction OF the number Of
deaths as compared with the previous year.
In 1877 there were 1,649 deaths, while oniY
1,4j4 were reported in 1878. With 4 stead
lily increasing population, The rate has been
as steadily decreasing. We ascriDe this IA
vorable result, says Dr. Cabcll, TO no other
cause than that Providence has blessed the
means used 10 avert disease; for, while " e
have been exempt from measles entirely,
and suffered only to Il limited extent from
whoop1n 1ng-cOugh, two other cpidcmies,
scarleticycr and diphthcria, which brought
CONSERVATION to so many families, have
prerailcd-thc first very generally. Still . TIE
reduction in deaths from miasmatic diseases
| has been marked.
| There has been 4 marked decrease in the
number OF deaths in the colorcd population.
YELLOw.FEvER.
! Referring to this epidemic, the report
| says it invaded last year places heretofore
deemed perfectly safe from its inroads.
Many OF them, from their altitude above
tie level OF the sea and distance from il,
their geographical POSITION and their pre-
vious exemption from the disease, inVitetl
| persons from the infected districts 10 seek
shelter in their midst; and in nearly every
case the disease spread. ltwas natural that
our fears should have been aroused lest this
fatal scourge should fad foothoId in our
city. Each day revealed new points OF in
yasion; its march was steadily northward,
and its progress was only stayed by the
chilling fro>ts OF autumn. Richmond, al
though warned by the experience Of other
cities, possibly equally as well situated As
size is, refused to place an embargo upon
the admission Of refugees fleeing from the
infected districts. The Board Of HealIl
was frequently importuned to exercise such
authority as it possessed to avert the dan
gers which were apprchended from the adj
mission OF such refugees.
Tie next refers to the excitement prcrai
ing here on the subject, and OF the fact thai
the Board OF Health was unanimously OF
the oninion that ycllow-iever might lind :
Judgment in our midst. The conclusion
was reached from the peculiar history OF tht
epidemic.
DR.. Cahcll next discusses the possibility
Of the disease being brought and propagatct
here. 4 question Of such grave nomen
should not be hastily dismissed. i ma,
find Il lodoment in our midst. No assurance
can be .iycn that we will be aS fortunate II
the future rs we have been in the past.
The urgent necessity OF at all times keep
inc the city clcanly is strongly advocated a>
means OF aycrtiny the disease. Foul &c
posits OF long standing should not be dis
turbcd except in cold weather, and the
precautionary measures should be adoplc'
10 thoroughly dsnfcct the places OF dc
posil. go.
The report next discusses the condition
OF our alleys; urges the importance O
paving and grading and OF cleaning 0
streets and alleys.
EXTENSION OF SEWERS.
This subject, the Doctor says, SHOULD
command constant attention, and measure
should be adopted to secure their rapid tx
tension, especially in those parts OF the cit.
where the soil is saturated with undu'
moisture. Clay Ward, which should be on
OF the healthiest in the city, is poorly sup
piled with these facilities, and the mortalt,
| in That ward during shc past year has beer
unusually large. That SECTION also needs n
extension OF the watcr-mains to supply
with pure water. 4 sewer is strongly re
commended on Giimer street, with. latera
branches, and that she culvert under Cana
street be extended westward 80 rs tc accom-
modatc tie section OF the city south CT Cary
and west OF Jefferson.
sIIoGSoE CREEK.
OF the many schemes for the Improve
mcut OF the city few present more decidct
interest than that pertaininsfo ttll, stream
Some provision should be made ut an earil
day for the removal OF the nuisance crcatct
by it. During the past year wo had IN III
tcry,ew with the City Engineer on this Sub
jcct, and we are prepared to adopt the View
| entertained By him namely, to. construct
sewer largeenough TO convey the Quito"
this stream uader Sixteenth street from In
point where the stream passes. under Gnl2:
street to Clay street. and thence along tla!
TO Fourteenth street. Constructed to ;ha
uoint most OF the objections; raised 10 II
nrcscrt condition Will haVa been removed
For il will be remembered that froEa Cnl0l
street to the river the stream Is confined be
tween solld walls OF stone. and II enntens
will be speedily removed. We % not re
cogntze that we are infringing on any othe
department OF ths city's government IL
these suggestions; for, while sbe wor'
comes under the en- cheering. department
Our suggestions axe made pAYely on Id
ground OF public kealth. while the who
amount necessary for this EnproYement
not likely to he appropriated in one ycal
by annual insta .ments Hs' may secure
much-desred esult IN cs;epSratlye,y sho
period.
SCARLET. FEVER ASe DIPHTHERiA.
, These disc3seS, from their prevalence ar
fatality, hay attracted much atteIiio. d
, ring the pa4 year. fhe number OF ptrso'
, diving from. scarlet-feyer was lQS,, and fro
diphtheri4 81. We have or Sevesal Occ
sions urged precautionary messrrrs to pr
: vent ths extension Of these diseases, and y
) are satisfied that physicians in attcndan
r have tadorsed these suggestions. DurH
the past wear we addressed a sarcular-lett
). to .se reverend clergy OF this city bcseec
= jns them 10 aid Us in our efforts. Many
the clergy responded to the suggestion a.
n acted in accordance Herewith. Eas
;. number have not givea their minister
sanction 10 if, and the evils resulting ITO
/. such habit are still being Inflicted up'
e the community.
II In this connection 1t will not be improp
t, to call your attention to suggestion ma
~ | ,,oor- s;nea which vgas endorsed 0y |