The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-04-03
The Board Of Health.

PAPER NOT GOOD FOR Whatsoever COs-
NECTIoNs.
!. The following is from the annual report
OF the Board Of Health:
The number Of deaths in the year 1882
was 1,Sj3-white, 1872; cOIorcd, 1,O61-a
decrease OF 1875 when compared with the
report Tor 1881. The decrease IN the white
race was 13; in the colored, La. Rate of
mortality OF the whole population per
thousand was 1925; rate OF mortality OF
white population, 1880: colorcd popula-
tion, 37.89. In estimating the population
OF this city at 6S,000-whitc, 40,0e0; col
ored, 2S,000-at the middle OF tire past
year, we think we are far below the actual
numbers. In this opinion we find ourselves
sustained by the sentiment of the citizens.
To such an extent is it general that a new
census is demanded. The large number
Of dwellings which have been erected in
the past two years, all OF which find occr.
pants, while the old ones retain tenants,
and the prospect, well founded, that the
number OF new buildings this year will ex-
ceed any previou. year, warrant the belief
that our population exceeds our estimate.
"The health Of the people il the first duty
OF the statesman" Every dollar properly
spent in this direction will be returned one
hundredfold in the prosperity OF the city
and the happiness OF individuals secured.
Now. it may be properly asked, What is
the remedy, and what is expected OF the
City FathersS
lst. That adequate means be supplied the
Board OF Health to keep all the streets and
alleys which are the property OF the city
clean. We need an additional force OF Ia
borers and teams TO perform such work.
I'd. Establish free hospital for the care
Of the INDECENT sick.
Sd. Appoint district physicians to attend
the poor who have homes, but are unable
to employ physicians, thus relieving the
general hospital.
4th. The ventilation OF the public sew
ers, measure heretofore recommended,
demands your attention. We trust that nj
least partial beginning may be made this
year. Such action is demanded Of proper.
ty-owners who are compelled to protect
their buildings by your ordinances in thi'
respect.
9Th. Inasmuch as the flushing OF private
sewers is all important, and cannot be
thoroughly secured without the co0pera-
ton Of the landlords, we deem it essential
that IN ordinance be passed requiring the
owners OF houses TO pay the water-reDts.
III injustice in this particular is complained
Of. the landlord has bis remedy in adding
to the rent OF his house. The public health
should not be allowed to be nterfered with
} by this desire on the part OF the owner OF
the property to escape the payment Of this
small sum required.
INSPECTOR OF BUILDINGS.
9th. An ordinance should be passed by
which a competent person may he appoint
ed by your bodies as inspector Of build
ings. lie should be one thoroughly com.
petent both by education and practical
knowledge to supervise the erection OF new
buildings from the foundation up. Nc
privilege should be granted for the erection
OF a building until the plans have been sub.
mittcd to and approved by him. He should
be only warranted in denying his permit
from justified doubt as to suitable materials
,, used. such as strength OF timbers, thick
! ness Of walls, proper ventilation OF rooms
, and ventilation OF sewers; and in all pub
: lie buildings, sufficient and easy mode o
egrcss in case Of fire or other alarms-hi
remuneration to he paid by the person con
templating building. Such officer can witt
proprietv. under the supervision OF TIL
Board be also charged with the duty o
= examining premises at the request OF
, purchaser or renter (his fees to be paid by
| ihem). in consequence OF existing or nj
, leged defects in the sanitary arrangement
of which he had not been informed. Tbii
a suggestion is made in consequence OF th'
| demands upon the Board for examination
= Of premises which have been purchased o.
rented without proper or careful lnqulr.
q having been made rs to whether they wer
I in Good sanitary condition, and which bay
. e. nah m 70 y
= seriously to impair their value, known a
the time by the owner or agent OF the pro
pertv. Some action in this direction Is de
4 sirabe The Board is willing TO use eX
{ traordinary care in this respect II a'l
J., thorized 10y your bodies, and VIII "Seel
0 q record Of all extraordinary development
e relating TO the sanitary condition OF dwell
Y ings for the in>uectiOn OF the public. Thu
S parties having such property Tor sale G
rent would lie forced to put it IN health
: ful condition, and reasonable securlt.
/ would be offered to the family and commu
c nitv. This precautionary measure n yer.
II imnortant. relating mainly to the securit.
! OF human bfe."
n The Board Is fully alive to the fact tha
a Richmond can boast OF accomplished arehl
r tects. master builders and contractors, ant
= of work necessary for building, who ar
r prepared to furAish designs. TO superin
4 tend bindings, and 10 furnish proper ma
c terialS for the same; but it Is wen known
n that they are cramped by the economical
n views Of owners OF property. Hence tn
d materials used must depend upon the prize
l. agreed upon under the contract, ana,
= nrnnor REGARD for the safety Of the hous
and its sanitary condition Is lost sight o'
i This is eminently 80 as to plumbing, U
e which, OF all other parts OF house, tn
e strictest attention should he paid in seci
h ring the best materials.
II the foregoing suggestion does nc
e meet with your approval, then enlarge IN
Il powers OF the Board Of Health, and az
thoriZe it to declare when house IL hab
table or not rs is done in most cities.
sUNDRY SUGGESTIONS,
II 7th. The danger to the public health b
> allowing sinks and laaky boxes for the II
/ ception OF nightsoil call for your othcis
interference. Not only the slasoil
thereby polluted and the wells rendere
. impure. but the atmosphere is impregnate
= with offensive OdcTs. The remedy We su:
: eest is to pass an ordinance abelishin
% sinks altogether, requiring water-ugl
o. boxes to he substituted.
Sth. Ii is desirable that you heed sui
gesiion heretofore made as 10 the report
ne contagious diseases. This ordinance h;
u been endorsed by the profession, and vi
ic affect few others.
De 9th. A great nuisance TO many OF o'
u citizens is the license allowed in keeping
t large number OF COWS on any premis
.e within the corporate limits. only tho
10 who live near such establishments, o: WI
~ have to pass near them, can Judge OF the
offensiyeness. We hope some action "
=, be taken in this direction.
u, 1Ota. A suggestion made some yea