Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-12-23
HEALTHOF RICHMOND
THIS SUBJECT CONSIDERED BY THE
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE.
Addresses by Colonel Cutshaw, Mr.. Boil
ling. Coroner Taylor, and Several
City PhysIcians.

A called meeting of the Board of Di-
rectors of the Richmond Chamber of Com
merce was held yesterday evening at
o'clock. Present John Is. Purcell. presi-
dent: George l.. Christian, first vice-presi
dent; and Thomas N. Carter, w. ID. Ches-
terman, s. ID. Crenshaw, James b. Elan.
W. 4. Hancock, A. ID. Landerkln. L. u.
Moore. George A. Smith. II. A. Tabb.
Everett Waddey, John Il. West, J. S. VIII
liams, and II. w. Wood, directors. The
following gentlemen were in attendance
by invitation: Colonel W. f.. Cutshaw. Mr..
{. +. Boiling. DR.. W. II. Taylor, Mr.. Hugh
Blair, Drs. Hugh NJ. Taylor. Charles NJ.
Shields. w. ". Parker, w. L. Oppenhimer,
and Isaac Curd, and Sir. A. Is. Guigon.
The object of the meeting was to con-
slider and take action upon the consOlI-
dated report of the sub-committees ap-
pointed by the Chamber from the Health
Committee of the City Council, the Board
OF Health of the city, the Academy of
Medicine and Surgery, and from the Com
mlttee on Health and Sanitation of the
Chamber. This report was laid upon the
table at the last meeting Of the board for
the purpose of having full attendance of
these committees, as well as TO have pres
ent Colonel Cutshaw, Mr.. Boiling, Dr.
William II. TAYLOR, and Mr.. Hugh Blair,
who. 1t was thought, could throw additional
light upon tho various subjects treated Of
in the report.
COLONEL CUTsHAw's ADDRESS.
Colonel Cutshaw being first invited TO
address the meeting. said that there could
be no question that the Chamber of Com
merce was proper body TO take up such
au important question as that of the health
! . 4.
infinite good IN the same manner that the
Board of Trade had done for the city of
Chicago. He then reviewed the whole situ-
alton, and while he dissented from the re-
port IN some important particulars, and as
to the manner III which the Chamber should
proceed III its efforts to better the health
Of the city, no concurred as to the
necessity for improving the condition OF
ShOCkOe creek the extension of the sew
erage system and its proper ventilation,
the supervision and Improvement of our
plum hIug, and the proper inspection OF
all food supplies. He further suggested
as important subjects deserving attention
and as sources of much ill-health, the
dumps Of garbage in what Is known as the
ash-dUmps OF the city, and the damp
cellars which exist in many houses.
PURITY OF OUR WATER sUPPLY.
Mr.. Charles L. Boiling, DR.. William H..
Taylor, and Mr. Hugh Blair then spoke IN
succession as to the purity of the water
supply, and in addition to their arguments
gave the results at different periods of
analyses of the water chemically, micro
scopIcGliy, and biologically to sustain
their views. DR.. Oppenheimer gave the
Chamber some information as to the
would tend to indicate that on
account Of the rigid method adopt
ed for making these reports the
true death-rate Of Richmond as compared
with that of other cities is not so great as
it appears TO be. He stated that map of
the city was now being prepared for his
department by Colonel Cutshaw. This
would show the localities III which the
death-rate was greatest and where certain
diseases prevailed to the greatest extent,
which might lead TO the detection III some
cases of the causes of mortality.
Or. Parker, Dr. Hugh NJ. Taylor, DR..
Shields. Mr.. West. Mr. Carter, Mr.. Gulgon,
and Nr. Jabb then argued in favor of the
adoption OF the report as a whole, and Sir.
West made motion to that effect. Mr..
Wood, Mr.. 5. ID. Crenshaw, Mr. Waddey,
and Judge Christian thought that pOr-
ton OF the report, on account OF the I'M
pOrtancc OF the question 10 which 1t re-
lated and Of the divergence of opinion, re-
Quirod further consideration.
Mr.. Wood offered an amendment 10 th @
effect that so much ot the report as re.
lated 10 sewerage. canal, and basin
ShOckoe creek, plumbing and sanitary
matters in general, statistics and milk and
meat supply be adopted and reported tC
the City Coupcil, and the rest of the re-
port 10 be LAID over for further considera
ton at the first meeting in January. This
was accepted BY Mr. West Us a substitute
for his motion. and adopted 10y the Board.
An EARNEST AND LABOMoUs INVESTIGATION.
Judge Christian, who occupied the chair
during the latter part of the meeting, as
Colonel Purcell had been obliged 20 va.
cate it owing TO another imperative en-.
gaeement, on behalf of the Chamber cX
pressed the profound thanks of that body
TO the various subcommittee and TO the
committee of the Chamber for their earnest
and labOrious Investigation of the CUES
tions which mad been referred to them.
The meeting Was altogether one OF the
most important and interesting that ha:
ever been held by the Chamber, and 1t Il
| believed that much practical good mu,i
result from the earnest consideration anc
able discussion Of these matters, whlct
not only occupied the consideration OF the
subcommittee, formed as they were iron
| the organizations i'll the city best qualified
| TO deal with them, but also the careful
| consideration of the board and the assist
ance OF the city officials and our local ex
peTts.