The herald., 1893-10-05
AGAINST THE PUBLIC HEALTH
The Health officer Scores Some
Very Good Points.
lively Meeting of the City Board of
Health Yesterday.
4 Citizen Appeals to the Board for Re-
ii.f-The Thenters to be Invss-
tigsted-Ihe Cudaby
Investigation.

members we're present except DIR. hitch
cock.
After the reading and approval OF the
minutes of the preceding meeting the
report OF Health Officer Powers was
read, 90 follows:
sg HEALTH OFFICERS REPORT.
In accordance with requirement l
have again inspected the public build
ings, and now deeire to submit the fol-
lowing report for your consideration
regret to have to state that since my
last report there has been but little i'm.
provement in the sanitary condition OF
/ majority of the buildings, and may
say the suggestions made in the last re-
port still apply in most cases.
a; Many OF the public buildings are not
properly ventilated. Much improve
ment in the ventilation Of these build
\ ings can be made, at a very small cost,
by hinging the traneoms at the bottom
: instead of the top, thereby directing the
current OF air to the ceiling where the
current would be broken and the air dit-
\ fused through the room. Central ceiling
valtiIators, and those in floors and near
the baee OF rooms acting greater por-
otion OF the time as fresh air inlets. and
producing direct currents upon the heads
or feet OF pupils, should be closed, II it
is possible to provide sufficient fresh air
BY windows and trensomR, or should be
muffied by placing in each ventilator q
break ccnsisting OF o thin sheet OF cot
ton batting held between two sheets OF
wire game, which will break the force OF
the current and cause agradual diffusion
OF air into the room. Whenever possible
windows should be opened from the top
instead OF from the bottom, unless
shades are go hung as to produce a
downward current, in which case other
provisions for ventilation should be
made. In fact with all or most of the
attempts at ventilation in the school
buildings it requires much attention
and close observation on the part Of
each teacher and janitor to derive any
benefit at all, and in come buildings it
is utterly impossible to prevent pupils
from being exposed. This should be
remsdied ae carly as possible.
There are certain buildings which are
overcrowded and poorly lighted.
Many buildings are improperly and
insuficiently heated, and this is a mat
ter that should receive attention before
the rainy season sets in.
There has been some improvement in
the plumbing In few OF the school
buildings. The plumbing fixtures in
many school buildings are permanently
enclosed, hence the janitors do not have
free access to them. l would suggest
that hinged doors be put into enclosures
: of all plumbing fixtures in order that
the janitors may be enabled to clean out
the traps as often as once in every four
or six weeks.
,Tiiersere broken basins in some build
ings there are also urinals not in use.
The former ehould be repaired and the
latter sealed, for any trap not in use
will lose ite water sea! by evaporation
: building from the sewer or cesspool.
There are also fixtures untrapped and
invented which are dangerous because
of these defects. They win admit foul
air from sewers or ceespoole. ,..ii
On account OF defective stopcocks in
tanks some water closets are insuffi.
ciontly flushed, and in few buildings
there are urinals without any provision
for flushing them.
Pfivy vaults should be dispensed with
wherever possible. / find at East First
street school very Objectionable privy
vaults which should be filled, and the
latrine water closets that have been put
in there should be connected with
proper cesepool.
I would suggest that all repairs be
made go that the plumbing In the public
school buildings conform to the sanitary
regulations.
Surface drainage should be attended
to In many yards in order that storm
water cannot enter or run into the base
ments Of buildings and form pools of
etagnant water, az has been the case in
the past at several buildings.
The plumbing in the county jail is un-
dergoinR repairs and improvement. The
cell uHed for the detention of the insane
awaiting committal to the asylum ia
poorly ventilated; and the fact of con-
timing an insane person in Jail among
criminalg, where he can see and hear
them, 10 confirmRtory of his illusions OF
persecution, and is also revolving to the
sensibilities of all good citizens, henceI
would suggest, as there are already cells
prepared for the reception OF the insane
at the county hospital, that such per-
cons be detained at the latter institu-
tion.
The urinal at the East Side police sta
tion is filthy and invented, and the
wRter-closet insufficiently flushed and
in foul condition. The old cesspool
which 10 under the house should be
filed up s5 the plumbing is now con-
nected with the sewer.
The city prison ia kept in as sanitary
condition as the construction OF the
building will permit. which needs no
comment, as the plumbing and the con-
struction OF the building are equally at
fault.
In conclusion take pleasure in ac-
knowledging my obligations to the SUI
perintendent OF buildings, and his
assistant, the plumbing Inspector, for
their help in making the inspection OF
public buildings.
THE THEATERs LOOKED INTO.
DR.. sKurtz raised the question as to
whether the health officer had power to
inspect buildings, such as theaters and
churches. He said that the main exit
OF one of the theaters is very defective
and unsafe.
DR.. 4ccGowan moved that the fire
commission be recommended to take
steps to have the main exit OF the thea
ter liked In suoh = manner that it will
not be dan y life.
THE REPORT ADOPTED.
On motion the report OF the health
officer was adopted, and the board of
education notified OF the bad condition
~ oarksin aobo,1 kr;ll:--