The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1881-08-16
gICHMOND'S HEALTH.
.xoxuvR sftusrRATY0N SHOWING
THAr pocToRs WILL DIFFER.
ncss. - Arsicse Replied 90 by Two Doe
tors and Layman.

The last article OF Mctr., puDhshtu '"
the Dispatch OF Sunday, has caused quiee
a stir in the community. ana there
are many who warmly and boldly tsAe
issue with MEG. on several OF bis We
r,es. while others, again, express toem-
selves as well pleased that medlcai mao nss
had the courage 10 discuss freely q question
~ snch vital importance 10 the community.
We Give below three articles, replies 10
ucfs two Of which are by doctors. while
the third Is by q layman who mas entered
into the discussion.
Another Prominent Physician speaks
sig FAXES ISSUE WITH "MG." ON TIRE SEW
ERAGs AND WATER QUESTIONS.
Editors Dispatch: AS health should be
the chief desideraium OF the human family
while in the flesh, I. behooyes Us 10 inyesti'
gate every source from which there may
arise cause 10 impair or deprive us oil TINS
blessed boon. -.
IT'S saying, no less trite than true, that
doctors disagree; but in expressing my
views on the sanitary condition 0I our Guy
Il Is with the hope that we NAV agree.
While am fully convinced from personal
observation, as we'll as from reliable inior.
mation, that the entire sewerage system OF
oar city is defective, ard IS most
GrieyOus nuisance, requiring immenee
expendture OF money without seeunne
/ in the least the benefits elaintd ior II,
yet n cannot be shown that the gases
emanating from these subterraneous pas
sages are pernicious 10 Inc numah sys.en'
To the contrary, 1t Is known tnat INC hep
engaged 10 tapping aud repairing o'u oui'
yeris, as well as the plumbers VINO woIk ~
such nesruess to the mouths oil The same,
| almost
ont atmospheric dilution, are among the
healtbjest OF our ctizsns. II cannot be
said that this class enjoys immunity on ac-
count Of nationality, because representa-
tIyes Of nearly every race are engaged IN
sucb works. Besides, from every private
and public sewer there is constantly escap'
| ing this sewer.gas, for, being lighter than
atmosphere, il will pass through any
amount OF water, as does hydrogen or car
burettea hydrogen. Consequently 1t cannot
he framed; aud II il were so pernlci0us 10
the human system there would not be
healthy person in the districts where there
are sewers. But insist that these zymotic
diseases referred 20 By MEG. as being pro-
duced by defective sewerage, are most rlie
in the portions OF the city far removed
from culverts; and it is a sad fact that IN
the mountainous parts OF virginia, as OF
other States, typhoid fever and diphtherla
are not only prevalent but more iatal IMAM
in our cities.
MEG. settles The question OF wells and
springs not being the cause OF disease when
he says the river water is pure. "the very
mud OF which disinfects and de0d0rlzes ~
of any accidental hurtful qualities" VI
course the veins OF wells and springs pass
through earthly beds. Much might be said
on this point, but 1t is unnecessary. Ihe
writer knows OF some OF the healthiest peo.
Die who are daily using spring and well
water in very close proximity TO sewers,
from which no doubt the water receives a
strong impregnatiOn, but certainly not
hurtful, though extremely unpalatable.
From my earliest observations as ply
stefan | have known our city, and more
especially the suburban portions, TO De
affected by class OF diseases attributable
to malaria, and it Is none the less so now.
Twenty years ago the portions that were
suburbs are now built upon, and new dis.
trlcts have been added to take the place OF
the old. 1t is in those suburban localities
contiguous TO the surrounding country (no
culveits here) that Zymotic diseases are
worse.
Il is to be remembered that this city, as
centre, has for at least twenty miles
around it, in every direction, country as
niasmatIc as any in the United States, from
which noxious carnations are walled on
every breeze, and 6nd a susceptible soil in
the person OF the resident OF the city.
! Not until the farmer is able to repair his
nill- and ice-ponds, reopen bis bitches,
bring in cultivation the Masterpieces, will
the sanitary condition OF our city be i'm
proved.
In concluding this subject / will repeat
what said to city official as an oflpGce to
our olfactories, and TO utilize the di1ecta
for sgric Iltural purposes. | hope to see
the present sewerage system abolished and
something better adopted, even though we
have to return 10 our old earth-siDks.
As regards the INDECENT OF our city being
badly cared for, must differ with MEG
The provision, both public and private, Is
lample. No doubt there may be room fol
better management. But j wish 10 say
here, what | have often expressed in pri
yate, that the indOient Of Richmond need
looking after bv NEST rigid enforcement
of the law requiring everybod to show {
visible means OF support. For such who
cannot, let a work.house, and not the Jail
be their future home. ID.
Public Health and Charities.
Editors Dispatch: The writer is glad Il
see an awakening interest manifested II
hygienic affairs in our city, and agrees fully
with McG.'s communication OF August 14tl
in several particulars; but he thinks tina
Meg. creates a false impression when hi
gives as one of the reasons for our heay!
death-rate the absence Of public charitie
. Hospital aud the like. We have the City
Almshouse Hospital, SMALLPOX Hospital
Richmond Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital.
There is connected with the first an un
usually efficient ambulance service, and
| ~ froa vaooinatioE This hos