The record-union., 1893-01-10
CITY SANITATION.
The Board of Health Develops Unusual
Energy.
The Streets Discovered to be Dirty
Some of the Salarled Inspectors
Are Touched Up.

evening. 1nere were present DrS. Oaru-
ner (President), Nichols, Baldwin, Fow-
Ter and Atkinson, the full board.
DR.. n. L. Nichols, Health Officer, re-
ported as follows: II have to report
forty-nine deaths, including two which
occurred in November, but not before
reported, as against thirty-one for last
month, and as against titty-one for the
corresponding month of December, 1891. !
Five deaths were from zymouc cancer,
constitutional, 26 local, 4 developmental,
. violence and unknown; u were under
! year of age and 4 over so years; 30 were
males and 10 females; 30 natives of the
United States and 70 of foreign birth.
Number of births reported 10, males s,
females I, one stillbirth.
N amber Of contagious diseases re- /
ported, .; dlphtheria, 4; scarlet fever, l;
no deaths from either scarlet fever or
diphtheria. The twelve deaths under
l year were Of infants from a few hours
70 few months. The mortality for the
month is greater than for any previous
month during the year, though not as
large as for December, 1891.
1.-THE increase is attributable in a great
measure to the cold, humid atmosphere
which has existed.
THE SOIL SATURATED.
1.-THE very high condition of the rivers
has caused the porous soil of the city to
De completely saturated with water from
which dense fogs have arisen to the dis
comfort of all and especially trying to
the respiratory organs. Our compensa-
ton for all this viii be in the thorough
cleansing of the soil of its impurities
when the rivers return to their natural
levels. In fact, after forty years observa-
ton l am convinced that these annual
saturations and subequent DRAWINGS of
the soil have much to do with maintain
ing the healthfulness of our city, the
average death rate of which compares
most tavorably with other cities of the
same population"
PLUMBING INSPECTION.
/. W. Mahoney, Plumbing Inspector,
reported as follows for December: Num-
Der OF plans and specifications received 9,
first inspections 9, final inspections II,
plumbing jobs on hand Decem Der 1st 10.
The following house nuisances have been
abated: Water-closets foul 2, out of re-
pair 3, sinks not trapped 4, open joints +.
open joints in sewer pipes and cellar 8,
sink drainage on surface 3. Total nui-
sances abated q.
SANITARY INSPECTION.
Building and Sanitary Inspector George
w. Nichols reported for December:
Buildings inspected 2, cesspools and
vaults cleaned Is, new vaults ordered
built 6, sinks retrapped and pipes re-
paired 10, nuisances abated 20, new venti-
lators built +, patent closets put int3, or
ders to remove rubbish y, drains re-
paired 6, new drains put in 2, vaults con-
demned 3, contagious disease notices
posted ., notices given 40, special inspec-
lions blocks Fifteenth and Sixteenth, f
and O streets. Total number of inspec-
tlons 70.
The case of Eli Mayo, which was tried
III the Police Court and conviction OBJ
tained, was appealed and is pending in
the Superior Court.
CITY PHYSICIANS REPORT.
The report of City Physician C. B.
Nichols for December was as follows:
New patients at Dispensary, u; prison
patients reported, 81; visits outside Of
Dispensary, lS visits at Receiving Hospi-
tai, A. patients at County Jail, 30. Total,
POS.
NOT EXPLICIT.
The reports as rendered by the Inspect
ors of Plumbing and Building and Sani-
tary were criticised as not being explicit
and clear, and it was ordered that the re-
ports for December be rejected and held
IN allegiance until they were more eXplic-
lily prepared.
The Secretary was instructed to notify
the inspectors to specify more clearly by
location and numbers the places where
their work has been done, and to notify
d
be held Saturday evening.
Several cases have been brought to the
attention of members Of the board of inn
perfect work done in buildings reported
upon favorably or not at all by the in
spectors.
From the reports given the board could
not tell the location OF buildings and
plumbing jobs, as they were not desig-
mated. This brought up an
ANIMATED DISCUSSION
Ofsthe sanitary condition of the city, and
especially the acknowledged filthy con-
dition of some of the streets.
In various parts of the city citizens per-
sist in dumping garbage in the alleys and
streets, and many business houses con
Jinue to sweep refuse and waste of vari-
Gus descriptions into the cutters, in def
ance of ordinances and city regulations.
A great deal of discussion ensued as to
the plumbing of various buildings, some
IN new buildings and others being re-
paired, and on Thursday morning the
board will visit certain buildings on a
tour of Investigation.
The board has repeatedly discussed the
subject, and has called the attention of
the Trustees and the police to the viola
ton of the law without appreciable eff
feet. Several visitors from abroad had
informed members of the board that Sac
ramento's streets were
NCoMPARABLY DIRTY,
AS compared with those of other cities.
and the fact is evident.
The board felt that it had done all in its
power to prevent the dumping of filth
and garbage in the alleys and streets, and
thought the newspapers ought TO take up
the matter and urge the observance OF the
health regulations.
THE SEWAGE QUESTION.
A communication from the City Trus-
tees was received, inclosing a series of
resolutions proposed, by which a COM
mittee Of inquiry is asked to gather GER
tain data relative to disposal of sewage
and city sanitation, The communication
stated that the resolutions had been re-
terred TO the Board of Health. Obvi-
ously this was to secure its approval or
disapproval of the proposition. The
Board OF Health considered the promo
sition, and approved the inquiry idea,
and signihed its willingness to aid it so
far as it could. The following letter was
formulated by the Secretary in reply, and
approved by the board:
SACRAMENTO, January 9, 1898.
To the Hon. Board Qf Cltg Trustees: In re-
ference 10 your communication OF this date
in the matter of inquiry as TO some method Of
improving the sewerage system of this city
this board realizes the importance Of such
Improvement, and has frequently discussed
the subject, but lack OF funos at their COM
mand has prevented such extensive in vestigll-
tions as are suggested by the resolutions sub
mitted. Having implicit confidence in the
will cheerfully concur in any action you may
deem proper in the matter. Respectfully,
Il. L. NICHOLS,
Secretary of the Board of Health.
Various other matters were discussed
before the board adjourned.
TWO FUNERALS