Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-05-06

In addition to the work of the inspectors
Health Officer Hammett realized the necessity
OF pressing into the service many other
health office employees as possible and the physi-
clans TO the poor were among them. The
health officer desired their cooperation in the
matter, and even before the temporary in
spectors were appointed a letter was addressed
to each OF them as follows:
''As health officer Of the District Of Columbia I
desire your cheerful and voluntary cooperation in
all msssss IT 70 sapitssiSn and the
dues as ply stefan TO the poor for which
ada to your By reanene thai in your daily
visits either as family physician in the DISCHARGE
matters shst may come under your Observation which
may affect the sanitary condition Of the District
proach Of epidsmes and consas Gus diseases most Of
nnd b sS OF Rsss sd sSaa . and ns ~
humanity at heart to do all they can to improvs the
q S % .Hs
patients; , should hnd the e. surrOundngs dele
we'll for the good 0, the public health TO inform
ccnfdentialy"
While these physicians do not make inspec-
tions such as are made by the inspectors. they
have aided the latter to a considerable extent
and have notified the health Office Of some
disease-breedins spots which needed abate-
ment
WHAT MR.. PETERS SAYS.
In conversation with a STAR reporter Mr..
ice or house-to-house inspection said that the
work thus far had been very satisfactory. The
system, he said, inaugurated by DIR.
Hammett because of the alarm expressed in
the newspapers concerning the possible cholera
epidemic in the United States this summer.
This SYSTEM" he said, lis unique, bearing,
as it does. the cardinal idea of cleanliness. A
study of the reports think will give history
never before attempted and completed In SO
large q city as Washington. In New York there
is going on what is called a house-to-house in
spection, but judging from accounts Of the
work the inspectors visiting only tenement
houses and such places they suspect Of being
in an unsanitary condition, so that the work is
far behind that being done here
will the entire District receive the attention
that is being given the more density populated
portion of the city?" the reporter inquired.
"Most undoubtedly it will. ;" was Mr.. Peters
response, land the great amount of good thus
far accomplished will be improved upon if the
recommendations Of Health Officer Hammett
put into effect These recommendations
include the disinfectlon of alleys and byways
and the whitewashing Of the worn and dilapi-
dated shanties and fences of the poor"
HOW THE INSPECTIONS ARE MADE.
"How are the inspections ma1e?" was the
next question asked by the reporter.
..How are they made?" echoed the superin-
tendent of the work. In the first place the
inspectors required to visit every house
and make an inspection from cellar to garrett
with the exception, of course, that he is not
supposed to go through the sleeping rooms I'M
less there is plumbing work in them. IL there
is any defective plumbing found on the prem
Uses other nuisances the inspector gives his
notice to abate then and there, and the length
of time given for the abatement is from three
to ten days, according to the character Of the
nuisance. If there is an apparent defect under
the surface the report is made to the Office and
then it Is sent to the inspector of plumbing.
Having made an inspection of the house,"
continued Mr.. Peters, 'the inspector goes out
side and examines the yard and outbuildings,
tice. the same as for nuisance found in the
house"
THE NUIsANCEs REPORTED.
"What has been the character Of the nuisances
found and reported thus far?
.'Most of them have been small nuisances
but when concentrated they make a nuisance of
some magnitude. In many instances the in
spectors have found unlawfully located or
filthy priyies. and in each instance notice was
served for the abatement of the same. When
the nuisances are of such character that the
temporary inspectors do not feel qualified to
pass upon them they referred to one of the
regular and more experienced men,"
Judging from the reports of the inspectors,
what would you say of the present condition of
the city?" Mr.. Peters was asked.
Il can say with PRIDE" was his response.
that, taken as whole, while there are spots
requiring almost constant supervision believe
that this city compares favorably with any other
city In the world, and that the plague spots here
are fewer than i'll any other city,
THE SQUARES ALREADY INSPECTED
As stated above. the District was divided into
ten subdistricts for the purposes Of the house.
toulouse inspection, and the districts and
squares in them which have already been in
spected are shown below. Owing to differ
ence In the manner of inspectors reporting