Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-12
BOARD OF HEALTH.
THEIR ANNUAL REPORT TO MAYOR
W. c. CARRINGTON.
Discussion Of Sanitary Measures-Preven-
tion Of Cholera-s a-street-sweeping
SMALLPOX, &c.

The following Is the most interesting
part Of the report Of the Board OF
Health TO his Honor Mayor W. c.
Darlington. The portions omitted are
chiefly statistical tables. and the sub
stance of them was fully set forth in
the Dispatch Of January lst:
MORTUARY LIST.
Total number of deaths in this city
in the year 1885 was l,Si3-white,
SO; colored, 973--a decrease of Gl.
Rate Of mortality Of whole popula-
ton per thousand was 2l.57; rate Of
mortality Of white population was
COIL; rate Of mortality Of colored
population was 29.4S.
The estimate upon which this calcu-
lation was made was upon population
in the city Of -, 5,000-white, $4,000 /;
colOred, $4,000. We did not increase
our estimate of the population during
the past year.
SEWERS.
We appreciate the wisdom shown BY
your bodies in extending the sewer sys-
TEN so generally during the past year
Those Of our citizens reached by such
conyeniences during that time are fully
alive to the comforts Of the new order
Of things. The course adopted Of dis
continuing sewers in deep rayines has
everything to recommend it, and We
trust the time may not be far distant
when all such outlets will be banishe1,
with the substitution Of sewers in the
streets which can readily be reached.
In this connection we earnestly appeal
to YOU at once to look to the ventilation
Of the sewers by placing perforated
m0n-holc5 on each and every one at
short intervals Of space.
While in attendance upon the meet
ing Of the American Public Health AS
sociation held in Washington in the
month Of December We were forclbly
reminded Of the necessity and prOpriety
Of such a measure by the experience
detailed 10y the health officer Of De-
troit. who, by the aid Of these perfo-
rated nan-holes, diSinlected the sewers
with sulphur as oilectually as a house
could be disinlc ted. The result at
tending his experiments was particu-
larly gratifying in the reduction Of dis
ease, especially diphtheria and scarla-
tina.
Wc can profit by the experience Of
other cities. Brooklyn for several years
suffered from cpidemics Of diphih2ria.
The health department, presided over
by one OF the most earnest ana scien-
tiGc ,autarians, recommended the fol-
loving ordinance, which we have mO1i-
tied to suit our city:
an OrImQnce far the Proper Veniil1-
h.a Of tie Cay Seuus.
Section ]. Upon all sewers hereafter
built in the city Of Richmond the
covers to the mQa-h,les shall be con-
>tructed with openings embracing at
least one fourth Of the superficial areas
Of such covers, arranged in such pat
tern and form as the city Engineer shall
prescribe. All the close covers upon
the man-holes connected with the sewers
already constructed shall be substituted
by perforated covers Of the same de
ecription as rapidly and al such loca
tions as the Board Of Health shall de-
mand, not to exceed - new cover
each.year, until all have been changed
Section >. The Board Of Health
Shall, with the force under their charge,
make continual inspection of the said
sewer man-hole covers, who shall re-
move all ice, snow, or dirt found in the
apertures thereof and keep them con-
stantly open.
We respectfully recommend the
adoption Of the foregoing ordinance.
~NODkOE CREEK.