National Republican., 1879-10-23
SANITARY SUGGESTIONS.
Annual Report of Health Officer
TOWnshend.
Operations of His onico During the Past
Year-Some Important Recoinoncnda-
tIons-A Law Needed for tho Pres
ervntion of the Fisheries
Estimates for tho Next
Fiscal Year, sc.


Tho annual report of Health Officer Town
shend was submitted to the District Commis-
sionors yesterday, The synopsis OF the opera
tions OF the department shows that during the
yearlS,775 nuisances were reported aud abatod,
"a ,036 pounds of meat, . SIC bushels of fruit and
vegetables, ,36, ,165 pounds ofish aud H. S2S bush
els oysters condemned as unfit for food cxalni'
nations aud reports made on 2215 citizens com
plants; burials at public expense, 620; exami-
nation of local Cause of disease, lS7 animals
impounded 5397 GALS dead animals, 6,4G3
tons of garbage, 2i667 barrels OF night soil re-
moved aud 1901 burial permits issued.
He recommends that in all instances where
it can possibly be done that the sewers be eX-
tended the entire length Of the populated al
leys. He urges an amendment to existing
laws so that the ordinances regarding soap
factories rendering establishments may be
enforced and that some arrangement be el
iectcd for the daily collection of garbage in
july August aud September. Three hundred
and eight shanties unfit for habiiation were
condemned. Legislation Is asked covering the
subject Of nuisances on the property of non.
residents. He urges as sanitary necessity
the establishment OF manure and otials depot
Better house drainage and careful inspection
of plumbing is urged. lie urges also the
necessity for proyiling some less offensive
means for cleaning sewer traps.
He recommends that Congress be asked to
herring in the District after May 81, and after
the manner of our game laws make it pen
atty TO expose for sale or have i'll possession
any such fish after that date. In regard to the
sanitary improvements in public schools ho
states that the efforts of the office III this di-
rection have been attended with gratifying re-
suits. The cost of medicines furnished for the
sick poor was 81 ,3S5 80; salaries of physicians,
81 ,4S5; total expenses of the tive-and-a-half
months during which this service has existed,
$500, making an annual cost Of about SG,40O
He requests an appropriation of s., 600 for this
service, aud also 81 900 for food for the sick
poor. Under the head of offensive trades, in
Guiding asphalt works, oystor-shell kilus, soap
factories and an ammonia factory, he recon-
mends that all persons be required to obtain
permits from the Health Officers before an
offensive trade can be conducted.
Legislation is needed to require physicians
to report eases of zylnotic diseases, aud to reg.
ulate the slaughter OF animals for food. the
estimates for the Office for the next fiscal year
amounts to $25, 400. During the year there
were 4,309 deaths registered, showing an am
nual delth-rate of 25 354 per / 600; 1928 per
1000 for the white, aud 37.732 per 1000 for the
coIorod population. The increase in total
deaths over the preceding year was seventy
eight; $50 deaths occurred from violence;
3,S16 births were reported during1the year, of
which 2,l17 were white. and ,699were colored.
There were 7l2 marriages reported, making AN
increase of 173 over the number reported for the
preceding year, 5l6 being white couples, 1873
cOlOrcd, and three couples were married of
which in each case one was white aud the other
colOred.