Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-02-12
READY FOR THE CHOLERA
The Steps Being Taken to Pre-
vent the Dreaded Disease.


Richmond received scare last sum-
mer which she has not yet gotten over.
II WAS that cholera would invade her
peaceful borders. Still fresh in the
minds of the members of the City Coun-
Gil IS the narrow escape tins country
had of a visit from that dreadful dis
ease.
Already spring is rapping at our very
doors for admission and soon the warm,
sutry DAYS OF summer will be here. 1t
is believed that the recent severely cold
weather has done much to destroy the
germs of disease.
However, in view OF the bare posi-
bilitv of cholera reaching hero next
summer, DR.. W. T. Oppenhimer, presl-
dent of the Board Of Health. and his as
sociates in that body and the members
Of the Council Committee on Health
are already celebrating over the best
plans that will produce the most perfect
sanitation for the city.
MEASURES now BEFORE THE COUNCIL.
They already have before the Counc
an ordinance which has passed the lower
branch and will he considered by the
Board of Aldermen tomorrow night re-
districting the city and dividing it into
four instead of three districts, and APP
pointing fourth sanitary inspector.
Another ordinance relevant 10 this sub
iect is that passed at the last meeting Of
the Common Council providing for an
inspector of plumbing and regulating
that class Of work in Richmond IN
future
With these measures in vogue here the
Board Of Health and the Health Com
mittee will be pretty well armed for tn
approach Of the Asiatic enemy this sum-
mer.
WILL KEEP THE CITY CLEAN.
DR.. Oppenhimer was approached by a
DIsPATCH reporter yesterday and asked
what ideas the Health Department were
contemplating carrying out when the
warm season really arrives. The Doctor
laconically replied that it was proposed
to keep the city clean. A larger force
Of hands would be employed in removing
accommodations from the streets and al
leys. and more rigid examinations than
had ever been made heretofore would be
made OF all classes of business involving
the sale or handling Of deleterious mat
ter. The inspections of private pre-
misses, he said would be prompt and
frequent, and the removal OF garbage
and other accumulatiye substance would
bo given the attention of the health
forces and not that Of contractor.
THE PROPOSED ALMsHoUsR CHANGE.
Taking further upon this subject, DR..
Oppenhimer spoke most favorably OF the
resolution introduced by Mr.. Epps in the
Council last Monday night referring to
the Committee on Health the considera-
ton Of the question of establishing the
city almshouse on farm somewhere IN
Henrico county in order that those per-
sons sent there who are able to work
could be given employment commensu-
rate with their ability, and OF converting
the present almshouse property into u
city hospital. 1t is generally understood
that in case such change should be
made no cholera patients would be taken
to either the city almshouse or hospital.
THE EMERGENCY HOSPITAL.
Already an appropriation has been
asked for the establishment on what IS
known as the Small-Pox Farm, in
Henrico, Of an emergency hospital,
where persons suffering from contagious
diseases could be taken for treatment.
This institution will probably be created
by summer, but in case II Is not Dr.
Oppcnheimer has in view a most adj
mirable place from a medical standpoint,
which can be obtained temporarily as an
emergency hospital should cholera ar
rive.
In concluding his discussion upon this
subject the Doctor said that no matter
whether the dreaded plague came or not
he and his associates of the Health De-
partment proposed to be in a position TO
state that it was not due to any uncleanli-
ness here or to any lack OF precaution.