The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-12-23
THE HEALTH or RICHMOND
Discussed by the Board of Directors of tn.
Chamber of Commerce.

The object of the meeting was TO consider
and take action upon the consolidated report
Of the subcommittee appointed 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 committee on health aud san
itaton of the Chamber, which was laid upon
the table at the last meeting of the Board for
the purpose Of having a full attendance OF
these committees as well az 10 have Colonel
Cutshaw. Mr.. Boiling, Dr. William II. Taylor
and Mr.. Hugh Blair. who, 1t was thought,
could throw additional light upon the yari-
ous subjects treated Of in the report.
PROPER BODY.
Colonel Cutshew, being first invited to adj
dress the meeting. said that there could be
no question that tho Chamber Of Commerce
was a proper body TO take up such an lmpor-
tant question as that Of the health Of the
city and that they might accomplish infinite
good in the same manner that the Board OF
Trade had done for the city of Chicago. He
then reviewed the whole situation. and while
he dissented from the report IN some impor-
tant particulars, and as 10 the manner IN
which the Chamber should proceed IN
It's efforts 10 better the health of the city,
he cOncurred with the report as 10 the
necessity for improving the condition of
Sbockoe creek, the extension Of the sewerage
system and its proper ventilation, supervision
and improvement of plumbing. and the
proper inspection OF all food supplies. lie
further suggested rs important subjects de-
serving 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.
THE WATER SUPPLY.
Mr.. Charles f. Boiling. DR.. William II. Tay-
Tor and Mr.. Hugh Blair then spoke in success
sion as TO the purity OF the water supply, and
in addition To their own arguments gave the
results at different periods of analysis the
water chemically, micrOscopicaily and biolog-
ically to sustain their views Dr. Oppenhi-
mer then gave the Chamber some information
rs to the mortuary reports Of the city. which
would tend to indicate that on account Of the
rigid method adopted for making these reports
the true death-rate OF Richmond as compared
with that Of other cities is not 30 great ~ APP
pears to be, and he stated that map of the
city was now being prepared for his depart
ment by Colonel Cutshaw which would show
the localities in which the death-rate was
greatest and where certain diseases prevailed
TO the greatest extent which might lead 10
the detection in some cases Of the
causes OF mortality. DR.. Parker, Or.
Hugh NJ. Taylor. DR.. Shields. Mr.. West. Mr..
Carter Mr.. Gulgon and Mr.. Iabb then
argued in favor Of the adoption of the report
as whole, and Mr.. West made motion to
that effect, but Mr.. Wood. Dir. 5. ID. Cren-
shaw Mr.. Waddey and Judge Christian.
thinking that portion Of the report on ac-
count Of the importance of the question 10
which it related and of the divergence of
opinion required further consideration and
an amendment by Mr.. Wood to the effect
that SO much of the report as related 10 sew
erage. canal and basin. Shockoe creek,
plumbing and sanitary matters in
general statistics and milk and Weat supply
be adopted and reported TO the City Council
and the rest of the report be laid over for
further consideration at the first meeting in
January, was accepted by Mr.. West as sub
stitute for his motion and adopted by the
Board.
Judge Christian, who occupied the chair
during the latter part of the meeting, Colonel
Purcell having been obliged TO yacate II on
account Of another imperative engagement
on behalf of the Chamber expressed the pro-
found thanks of that body to the various sub
committees and TO the committee of the
Chamber for their earnest and aborious in
yestigatOn Of the questions which had been
referred TO them.
The meeting was altogether one of the
most important and interesting that has ever
beensleld by the Chamber, and il is believed
that much practical good must result from
the earnest consideration and able discussion
OF these matters. which not only occupied the
consideration Of the subcommittee. formed
rs they were from these organizations in the
city best qualified TO deal with them. but also
the careful consideration of the Board and
the assistance of the city officials aud our
local experts.