Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-03-09


to this, that portion of the community which does
not come within the scope of public vaccination
was very generally vaccinated by the physicians
(for cost of this see table of expenses)
By reference to the mortality table, it will be
observed that the number of deaths for lSS2 falls
short OF that of the preceding year 81. This may
be fairly attributed to an improved sanitary con-
dition, which is more apparent when T. marked
increase of population is considered, as Is shown
by Sholes's Directory for 1882.
In this connection Will take occasion to remark
that 1t has been recently published by several
widely circulated papers that the deathrate OF the
city has increased since the construction Of the sew
ers and is attributed to them This is an erroneous
impression. The deaths Of the city for the past
two years exceeded those of 1eo. BUTT must be
considered that the population has likewise in
creased, and the increase of deaths of 1881 over
those of 1880 is not due to local causes but to at
mosphsric influences which caused a like high
rate of mortality in several 10 ,alities in West
Tennessee, and in portions of States Immediately
Ihere are substantial reasons Tor tins
opinion, taough outside of Memphis statistics
only 10 8 limited extent are acceptable
Enough is known, however through reports to
the State Board of Health, to justly this asSer-
ton. For example, there were three epidemics of
dysenteTy In the State during the latter part OF
the summer and fall of 1881. One in GAINESVILLE,
one in Middleton, in Hardeman county, which ex-
tended into North Mississippi and one in Trenton,
Gibson county. The last two were attended with
large fatality. Detailed reports of these epidem-
les were furnished by resident physicians to the
secretary OF the State Board OF Health, and are q
part OF the official records of that Office The
number OF deaths from dysentery for 1850 was
torty-fve; that of 1882 seventy-seven. The deaths
from darIhea were nearly forty cent greater in
1881 THAI in 1850 but this increase was not due to
any influence developed by the sewers. In the
localities above mentioned there were no sewers
and the prevalence of the disease was attributed
to atmospheric conditions and not to any unusual
unsanitary conditions OF local character. The
Zymotc diseases which prevail so fatally in the
In pure atmosphere caused by sewer gas, such as
dlphiheria, scarlet fever typhoid fever, etc, have
contributed very little to the mortality of Mem
Pnls during the past three years. For the years
1850, 1881 and 1882 the total number of Deaths
NC ffK-t hFln eos rla
fifteen; typhoid fever, foIty-ive. This is q low
death rate out OF population of 10000 for Pc
reports for issoesi.s2 SeT.WiIh sppended1
have selected these three zymodc diseases for this
period to prove the fallacy of the assertions OF
those who criticize the death rate of Memphis so
invidiously, and seem to attach so much import
ance TO what they are pleased to attribute TO the
evil effects of the sewers.
abnormsly high is admitted, but the death rate OF
the negro population has always been and is still
out OF proportion TO that of the white, and when
counted together as whole has paced the city at
a disadvantage. will not now enter into dis
cusston of the causes OF the excess of the coored
over the white population. as have published
Tying 10 me, however, to be able to report to you
the marked decrease in the death rate of 1882 So
compared with 1881. The death rate for 1882, cal
culated upon the United States census of 1850
l3S,593) was 3S 81 per lC.o-white p so, colored
40 69-while the death rate for 1881, based upon
the same population, was 43.26-whits 34.4 col
ored 1924 (See tables for both years herewith APP
pended.) But if we calculate the death rate on
1852 6,ol4) the total mortality per 1000 was *
white 1889, colored $40 Though the popula-
tiou given in SAoles's Directory is supported by
that given in WeQtherbee's Directory $685. pub
lished in October, 1882. would recommend that
an accurate census of the city be taken early this
spring; The United States census of 1880 was con-
sidered too low by many at the time it was taken,
and In my opinion is certainly too low now, and
the population given by the last two directories
might be considered too high.
The necessity for reopening the quarantine sta
ton on Presidents Island next summer for the
purpose of inspecting all boats from the South. as
wen as observing the same precautions toward the
railroads entering Memphis from the same direc-
ton, will be as great as at any time previous.
he fact that the last three summers have passed
without yellow-fever developing above New Or
leans is no guarantee that the danger of its not
doing will not reeur with a season favorable to
it Therefore, at the proper time this Board OF
Health will repeat the call made upon the
National Board of Health March 18th, OF
station on Presidents Island and re-estsblish
the inspection service of last year. am credibly
informed that owing ID The failure of Congress to
Board to continue this service 1t will not do SO
longer than June 30th, the time when the uncx-
pended Appropriation for this fiscal year will be
1t is not probable that any action will be taken
by Congress whereby the National Board can con-
Therefore after June 30th the duty viii devolve
either upon the Tennessee State Board or this
Board of Health to maintain this quarantine sta.
ton and such railroad inspection as may be
thought necessary. 1t is to be regretted that the
State Legislature has never thought IL necessary to
place 81 the disposal of the State Board of Health
. sum suficient for this purpose, though section
Of An Actto amend act 10 create q State Board o.
be and they are hereby empowered 10 declare quaraRtit
tcheneper y, their judgment the sscarc Of ne psbitc
quirs Il, etc.
has eo-operated with this board in its call upon
the National Beard to establish an inspection
service on the Mississippi river and railroad:
coming out of New Orleans and such other South
ern ports as might be thought necessary. By thi,
action 1t Is committed to the necessity of main
tanning this quarantine station for certain period
public health requires tn
respectfully submit that the expense incidental
not by the city of Memphis 1t is for the prolec
ton of the whole OF West Tennessee and. not fol
Memphis alone. ! would therefore recommend
that such action be taken by the Legislative
Council as may be Necessary to induce our repre-
sentatives in the General Assembly now in session
itpossible, to secure an appropriation sufficient
m aintained after June 3oth it will devolve upon
the city OF Memphis. Aside from what conceive
to be necessary precaution the moral effect Il
worth the expense.
SEWERS AND sUBsolL DRAINS.
The following extract from a report recently
made by Mai Niles Meriwether, city engineer, to
the Legislative Council, embraces all necessary
information in regard to the sewers now In opera
ton:
will repeat the recommendation made in nv
last annual report as well as now supplement thai
OF Maj Meriwether to complete the main outlet
to the Mississippi river per original plan soon
as 1t is practicable. Perhaps when this Il
done the outflow will be so facilitated that the
main lines (ifteen-inch mains) above alluded &c
will never be taxed to their full capacity and con
sequently may not have to be enlarged at Ger
tain points" will also repeat my recommends,
ton IN regard ito the necessity for the sewerage
and drainage OF the area lying between the mains
on either side of the bayou and too low 10 be
connected with them" (See Third Annual Re
port) l have recently had an inspection of the
territory lying between Market street on the north
and Jefferson street on the south, from FROM
street to the river. with the view of ascertainins
what sewer facilities exist, If any and the neces
In this area, which is occupied by the DEPOT
OF the Chesapeake, Ohio and Southwestern rail
road, the Memphis and Little Rock railway the
Chickasaw Oil Refinery. the Memphis Oil Works
the Hanauer Oil Works, the Memphis Elevator
q boiler factory, corn mill, the Electric Ligh
ing. Ia all. daily employment 70 more
than $50 men, have not adequate sewer
facilities The number of persons engaged
over this area by these various business interests
will increase with the volume of bisiness
would therefore urge that proper saver facilities
be extended over this important territory as soer
NIT. Also that one or two public latrines be
erected for the accommodation of those VINO may
not have access to these factories sand railroad
depots. Also that public latrine be erected near
the foot of Union street for the accommodation Of
like population. These public conveniences are
necessary TO prevent soil pollution and unssniIary
conditions in their localities. The public latrines
now in use are answering an admirable purpose,
BAYOU GAYoSo.
Every available effort has been and will be made
by the health officer to keep this stream which II
the natural channel OF drainage for the greater
portion of the city, free from all sources of pollu
ton by removing all deposits of offensive char.
acter whether left by backwster from Wolf rivel
or from floods OF storm-water, such as debris Of
vegetable matter, dead animals, etc., and prevent
low water in the Summer and faiI. With th 4
view, two lnborers are detailed from the garbage
service at the discretion OF the health officer. io
perform this work. As the permanent and proper
sanitation of this stream is essential feature in
the sanitary work of the city, viii again call
your attention to the sanitary survey made during
the winter and spring OF 1875 and 1879 BY the Ma.
tonal Board OF Health, and introduce in this con-
nectton the specific Recommendation OF that board,
the APPEAL and Avalanche of December Is 1879
and also in supplement No. 8 with current No. Sc,
volume l, National Bulletin Of Health: That the
bayous, with q sufficient strip of ground on each
side TO secure their control and freedom from pol
luton, should be made the property OF the city for
securing drainage and public park, the banks be-
ing properly erased and constant stream of clear
water being secured, the backing up of high water
from the river into the bayou should be prevented
by means OF dam in connection with which
must be provided pumping machinery TO disposed
the ordinary flow during such periods of high water
This pumping would not generally apply to the
the plan of surface drainage includes an inter
cepting surface gutter on each side of the bayou,
conveying over the top of the dam of all ordinary
storms The total cost Of the dam and pumpin 2
apparatus is estimated at $500" The necessity
for this work IS as great now then, II any other
the high water from the Mississippi and Wolf
rivers from backing up in this bayou it should be
done.
THE EXPENSE OF THE DEPARTN EMIT
for the year exceeds that of the precs ding year by
$3.50 os. But this is not wholly current expense
For example, s3555, the item ~ alter mpsny'' in
table Of expense, is included in this department
for convenience. both OF Water Company to pre-
vent the multiplication OF bills against each de-
partment and also for the secretary of the Legisa-
tive Council to prevent the auditing OF several
different accounts, etc The contract between the
city and Water Company for water supply for AL
public purposes at $500 per month, was made one
portion OF the supply being used in the ush-tsnks
for flushing the sewers the cost of new DUNN