Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-02

/ quently Mr.. Warner recommended . bill to
sbolish his own Office and establish O board Of
charities to have control of all the charities and
charitable institutions supported in whole or in
by President Falls Of the boys reform school
was OF interest as showing the need for enlarg-
| ing that institution. Plans were made for the
new reform school for girls. The Commission
ers have continued their effort TO secure an ap-
preparation for q new and suitable District gov
eminent building, and during the year had
plans made for a building such as they think
| should be erected.
IN AND AROUND THE HEALTH OFFICE.
While the death rate Of the District Of Column
bia is ordinarily . reasonable one, it was much
larger during the past year than it would have
| been had there been ample means which could
hare been applied to the cleansing Of the city.
The health department did much, but left q
great deal undone. OF course there was trouble
as to the collection Of garbage. and, recognizing
the weakness Of health department methods,
the Commissioners turned over the garbage ad-
minstration to the police department where it
was properly handled. Investigation by The
STAR revealed horrible condition OF affairs at
the garbage wharf and along the shores Of tho
Potomac for several miles-a condition which.
however. was speedily remedied. Whom the
cholera scare came on The STAR. again did its
duty by investigating the alleys and reporting
upon the filth which had been permitted to 40
cumulate in many Of them. The authorities
then took up the matter and prepared to deal
with any cases Of the dread disease that might
make their appearance. A contagious diseases
hospital was fitted up, but fortunately IL did
not have to be used.
The bureau Of vital statistics reports that for
the calendar year 1892 the total number Of
deaths is within very small fraction OF 6,400
There were ,103 deaths during the preceding
calendar year. There was therefore an in
crease Of 800 in the years mortality, the death
rate being the same according to each 900 Of
population. Nearly the whole Of this increase
occurred in July last, when the number Of
fatal cases exceeded the previous July by 285
In this month occurred a larger number Of
deaths than in any previous month. The
figures reached 1856, Of whom over 400 we're
under five years Of age, and 1888 who were
under one year Of age.
The health department made strenuous eff
fort to prevent the spread Of diphtheria and
scarlet fever and to cure those who were af-
fected- Three hundred and fiftv-fve cases OF
dlphtheria were reported. OF which 113 termi-
mated fatally. Three hundred and forty cases
OF scarlet fever were reported, Of which only
20 proved fatal No death from scarlet fever
has occurred in the District since May "A last
Diarrhpal diseases we're very prevalent and
fatal during the summer months, causing 606
deaths. The outbreak of these maladies, which
usually takes place about the middle or latter
third Of May did not occur until the 10th Of
until the 27th Of July, when the daily mortality
from them reached II, and then declining
reached the minimum rate the last Of Sep
TENDER.
Consumption carried off its usual number Of
victims, numbering about 700. Pneumonia and
the other acute lung diseases were not unusu-
ally severe. From the former SIP persons died
As against 54S during the preceding year. while
from the latter 3SS died. as compared with 351
in 1891.
Malarial influences during the same time ex-
hibited no unusual features. In numbers they
scarcely differed from those of several former
years. Two hundred and four persons died of
typhoid fever, while II died of malarial and
typho-malarial troubles.
Altogether the health record of the city for
the Columbian year presents favorable total
ity. With the exception Of the outbreak Of the
diarrheal complaints no epidemic nor abnormal
development of any particular class Of diseases
has been manifest By unswerving application
OF the rule Of isolation the dangerous conta-
gious diseases have been restrained and con-
fined to comfortable limits. Especially in the
case Of diphtheria there can be no doubt but that
widespread epidemic Of this dread malady
was prevented last fall and winter by the strict
operation of the law of Congress on this sub
ject. In the matter of violent deaths there
were 247, of which 35 were homicides and 81
suicides, the rest accidental.
Among the more distinguished Of those who
were seriously indisposed during the year, but
who have fortunately survived, are ex-Secretary
James G. Blaine. who Is still extremely ILL SEN
ator Morrill, Speaker Crisp, Representative
Springer and Senator Roger Q. Mills.
AMONG PHYSICIANS AND PHARMACISTS.
The Emergency Hospital was located in its
new home early in the year and in November
the Homeopathic Dispensary and Emergency
Hospital was formally opened.
board of experts reported adversely on the
sanitary condition of the Capitol and during the
summer and fall a large number Of men have
been engaged in improving the plumbing and
sewerage systems of the great building.
A lively meeting of the Medical Association,
at which several applicants for membership
were unceremoniously rejected, stirred things
while the board of pharmacy commissioners
have succeeded in making things interesting for
some of the unregistered pharmacists who were
doing business here.
Chief Clerk Bayley of the health Office at
tracted much public attention for a while by
reason OF his pugnacity. the keenness of his
satire toward his official superiors and his
resignation.
REAL ESTATE.
The most notable feature in the history Of
the real estate market during the past year has
been the large and unprecedented activity in
building operations Not only has the number
of houses erected during the year been greater
than during any previous year in the history of
the city, but the amount of money expended
has been larger. This substantial progress has
made itself felt in all departments Of the ma
terial growth of the city. The work Of advanc-
ing the lines Of the population beyond the city
limits has been going steadily on with the help
Of suburban railroads, and the advance made
during the year in this direction is one of the
notable features in the history of the
year. The general market for real estate
has not been especially active, but there has
been healthy amount of business done and
prices have as a rule remained firm. The final
steps in the acquisition Of the necessary land
for the Rock Creek Park were taken during the
year, with the result that the suburban interests
have been greatly benefited. as well as the en-
tire city. The old year closed with a hopeful.
buoysnt feeling in the real estate market and
with the expectation that 1898 will witness still
larger results in the material progress Of the
nations capital
During the year permits were issued for the
erection Of ,063 buildings to cost in the aggre-
gate ss, 977,l7O.
At THE CITY HALL.
District courts have, as for many years past,
been overcrowded with work. Every justice has
done all that could possibly have been expected
of him, and yet there are many important
cases that may not receive attention for months
perhaps years, to come. because Congress will
not do that which II ought to do. Justice Mar
tin V. Montgomery and Justice Charles P.
James have resigned, and in their places the