The record-union., 1892-05-03
SANITARY AFFAIRS.
What the Beard of Health Did at
Last Nights Session.
Reported Improvement In tho Health
Of the Clty-Omcial Reports
for Last Month.

The City Board of Health held its
monthly meeting last evening at DR.. H.
l.. Nichols office, the full board being
present.
DIR. Nichols read his reports for April,
which showed there were thirty-two
deaths for the month and four for March,
not included in last months report, as
against forty-four for last month and
forty-six for April of last year, showing
an Improvement as to the healthfulneSs
Of the city.
The causes of deaths are as follows:
Alcoholism l, apoplexy l, abscess of
brain !, bronchitis 2, congestion OF lungs
2, consumption 5, diphtheria l, enteric
fever l, gastritis /, heart clot /, inanition
2. ia grippe l, meningitis 2, nephitis 8,
pneumonia ), purperal commissions l.,
premature birth ], remittent fever l.,
septicameia l, unknown l and stillborn 2.
OF contagious diseases four have been
reported: Measles ], diphtheiia l, scarlet
fever 2-ten cases less than reported last
month. Eight births were reported. six
males and females.
AS indicated by the diminished num-
Der OF deaths, the sanitary condition OF
the city is improving. Attention had
however, been called to many places
needing active work. The Inspectors
have been busy and attentive to their
duties, yet there was found much room
lor improvement III sanitary way.
SANITARY INSPECTORS REPORT.
The report Of Sanitary Inspector Geo.
W. Nichols showed: Contagious disease
cards posted, 3; yards and cellars filled,
5; ceSspoolS and vaults cleaned, l6; new
nrInrnl hllj *. m l-S rot nod
and pipes repaired, 8; nuisances ordered
abated, y; new ventilators built 5; pat
ent closets put in, 2; ordered to remove
rubbish, 20; drains repaired, 6; new drains
put in, t; vaults condemned, s; total
number of inspections made, 100; special
inspections of blocks Third to Fifth on l.
and NJ streets; buildings examined, A.
condemned, l.
PLUMBING INSPECTORS REPORT.
Plumbing Inspector Mahoney reported:
Number OF plans and specifications re-
ceived, Is; approved, Is; first inspection,
Is; final inspection, 10; plumbing jobs on
hand May lst, y. The following house
nuisances have been abated: Water
closets foul, l; without sufficient water,
l; sinks not trapped, 2; open Joints in
waste pipes, B; open joints in sewer pipe,
s: sink and drainage on surface, L; total
number of house nuisances abated, 16.
OTHER BUSINESS.
The bond and oath of office of L. W.
Mahoney, who was elected at the last
meeting of the board as Plumbing In
spcctor, were submitted and approved.
Secretary II. l.. Nichols stated that the
duties of the office of Sanitary Inspector
had been industriously carried out by
Geo. w. Nichols, and those of the Plumb
ing Inspector also faithfully performed.
During the discussion OF the Sanitary
InC-Nnntn-fc nrt Nx-nE tnl II.
the blocks from Third to Fifth on l. and NJ
streets should be thoroughly inspected,
as there were many filthy places in that
vicinity.
DR.. Nichols said that he intended to
make personal inspection of the blocks
mentioned as soon as he could get around
to them, and that the Sanitary INSPECTOR
proposed to inspect the entire city as soon
as it could be done.
one of the members reported case of
typhoid fever originating In the above
mentioned neighborhood, and it was the
general feeling that the inspection and
remedy of the nuisances in question be
attended to.
ONE INSPECTOR NOT ENOUGH.
q Drs. Gardner and Nichols expressed the
opinion that one Sanitary Inspector for
a city of the size of Sacramento was en-
tireiy inadequate to properly cover the
ground, and that three, or at least two,
should be appointed. The present In
spector has been materially assisted by
Mr.. Mahoney, the Plumbing Inspector.
but they found much to do.
1t has also been found by members of
the board that, owing to increased de-
mand for closets, ETC., the water supply is
inadequate, in some cases, to properly
flush sewers and closet drains, and pres
ent facilities were criticised.
1t was suggested that the board should
be provided with map Of the city sys-
tenn of sewers. DR.. Nichols stated tnat
the old board had one, but that he had
taken steps to obtain new and complete
map.
UNREPORTED BIRTHS.
In discussing the health report the fact
that but eight births We're reported
showed that physicians, regular and
irregular" We're not complying with
the law in reporting these events. 1t was
suggested that physicians, as well as
nlid-Wives, be urged and required to re-
port the births occurring where they were
III attendance.
Dr.. Nichols stated that he was pre-
pared to supply postal cards for this pur-
pose, so that the physicians and attend
ants could report births without expense
or trouble.
Physicians have been generally noti-
fed, but do not seem to comply. Direc-
tors Of public schools have requested that
the plan ought to be adhered to, as it was
OF great assistance in computing the num-
Der of children coming to school age.
Alter the meeting adjourned an unofli-
clal talk enSued on matters of a sanitary
character.