The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-27

Suggestions That the Authority Of the CT
Engineer be Increased.

suggestions That the Authority OF the c.tV
Engineer be Increased.
If. as seems te be commonly supposed, the
cause Of diphtheria may be traced 10 defec-
tive sewerage or drainage, why is it that the
Board Of Health and authorities seek only to
find tho cause on the surface and IN the local
sewerage Of the private lots. and do not in
vestigate the alleged defectS Of our city cul-
vent and sewerage SYSTEM 1t seems criminal
TO allow such evils - continue without a
prompt and thorough effort at correction.
The action taken by the Committee on
Health on FRIDAY evening was most necessary
and c0mmendable, and its good result must
soon be apparent. no doubt. But we cannot
stop here. Unless we 20 farther and deeper,
the evil may 20 on. and by the rayages OF this
dread disease hearts will DO brokon and homes
desolated.
Intelligent and experienced architects here
have spoken often Of tho defects in the city
drainage. and poor work on much that mas
been done, There is evidence of careless md
u%nscientifc work. resulting. probably. from
the fact that some o. the work was done WITH
out proper inspection, work where an error
may bring untold eyn.
Not the least of tho evils which follow in
the wake of careless and defective work Ia
that Richmond, formerly considered a healthy
city, gains unnecessarily a reputation for I'M
h~ealthfulness-a reputation which will check
her prosperity and growth.
The communication recently appearing IN
TIL TINS In reference to the ancient and
Insufficient sewer in the West End, originally
designed TO drain tho Rutherford property, -
worthy Of re-perusal and shows that more
thsn one citizen feels strongly in this matter.
Tho Offensive odors frequently proceeding
from the culvert mouths at the corners of the
streets. and which are m annoyance even 10
those passing by, Indicate thsre IS something
It'll. A. 49,. rAraat aHtDranrftnn
there are three Of these openings. In one
family living next TO this corner two deaths
from ~diDhtheria occurred this summer, and
in. another family living four doors from
the corner in question diphtherla has more
recently set its fatal seal, three cases and two
deaths being already reported thereir9m. =,
Diphtheria prevailed il Richmond last fall
and then disappeared. 1t may now, IN favor
able and drying weather. die down, and,
again, in unfaYorable weather and conditions
suddenly crop up sgain.
What is the reasOnS
May not one potent cause be defective
drains and ~oulverts in which the deadly gases
/ are banked up till the accumulated poison
forces its way into our streets and houses ana
into our bodily systems?
We learn from good authority that there
still exist some of the Old-fashioned square
! brick c~ulverts covered with slabs. the oemeni
| Joints of which have become loose and open
] 80 TINT the e9Itn GDONe Nlu dlOuuQ DeIOLAIr
/ saturated with foul matter and gases. Should
not a better system replace them
Let something be done. and done at once
regardless OF expense. What is this expense
compared 10 the reward of health and a repu.
tation for health
Our excellent and able city engineer has
\ done much TO benefit it. rs well as adorn oul
! CITY in every way, but we want and claim ina
? he shall especially direct his attention 70 the
question we have raised, and that ample au
thority and means be given him IN this mat
ter. Authorize him 10 employ one or more
experienced sanitary engineers from thatc las'
who in the larger cities devote themselves en-
tirely 10 the study of these questions and th'
removal of these defects and dangers. Lee
them 20 systematically to work. examining
street by street. alley by alley. culver
nv culvert. until all have been test
ed and they are able 10 point GU
the evils and TO correct them. They Wi
probably find enough wrong to prove tina
! the sprinkling Of lime in a few CUTTERS ant
ike superficial precautions are very IN
adequate devices for coping with so lnsidlou
and powerful q destroyer.
This pas-house lime is throwing dust int
our ewes. and keeps many from finding on
what 4, known to experts that gas lime doe
not kill the germs of disease.
What we want is 90 feel that the IN
side of the cup and platter is clean. w
want a satisfying sense that the air "
breathe. as well as the 1rqter nee drt1h
IS beyond question Of pollution, so fa
as scieutifc skin and the guardian care G
municipal authority can make il 30. And W
want the world TO know these Facts: .
viii not the City Council take this work /
hand at once! A SUFfKhEh.
Irrespective of the suggestions in the abov
letter. we have for some time believed that tn
present sewerage system of Richmond woul
have to be modified 50 as to use as faras poss
Bile the present large sewers as conduits for sui
face drainage and storm-water alone, and t
substitute the Waring system Of terra-cott
pipes for house sewag The separation {
the two systems of drainage-the surfac
water from house sewage-has been estal
Bshed az the best method. and should b
adopted here.-ED.l