Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-05-02
UNsANITARY LOCATION.
The Health Omcer Thinks Ivy City a
Better Place.

The Health Omcer Thinks Ivy City a
Better Place.
AS heretofore printed in The Star, Health
Oficer Hammett was asked to report upon
the present location of the Coxey camp
from a sanitary standpoint, and yesterday
he sent to the Commissioners his report
which reads as follows:
Having known this place personally for
years as pond of stagnant water, and
through the combined efforts Of the health
department succeeded in having 1t filled I'D,
which makes 1t at present made ground
also its close proximity to James Creek ca
nal. which In well known to me as a dis
ease-breeding place, / cannot, from a sani-
tary standpoint, advise that human beings
should be congregated upon such soil II
occurs to me that with so large a body of
men assembled within such an inclosure
with the probability of increased aggrega-
tion, a possible fear may be entertained of
an outbreak Of typhus fever. Such a con-
dition OF affairs is one that medical history
recognizes and narrates as the result of in
discriminate massing OF people, without
proper habitation and sanitary surround
ings.
Another reason that suggests itself
which Is rot made with the Intention ~
creating alarm. but as safeguard, is the
possibility OF some contagious or infectious
disease being developed from the exposure
and hardships endured by the men on their
long marches to this city. 1 will further
say that the location and its unsanitary
surroundings would make 1t a probability.
and should disease Of contagious char
acter arise there would be no means of
isolation. nor a preventive of contagion
spreading. There Is every reason TO believe
that the people to be encamped upon such
grounds will be liable to attacks of malaria
and catarrhal diseases, followed by enteric
arrangements. superinduced by the many
surrounding causes and to which the con-
these renders Ito
Recommends Another Camp.
Besides. there would be lack of proper
hospital facilities for treatment and shelter,
and coming from all parts Of the country
they are to be considered ready subjects
for sudden ailments until they shall have
been properly accliinated.
For humanity's sake, which prompts me
to speak promptly, would, for the reasons
mentioned. consider that some other place,
provided with proper buildings for shelter
and hospital purposes to meet emergencies
be selected, and / do not know of any site
more acceptable than the Ivy City race
course for q camping ground. 1t Is by far
the most appropriate to meet the sudden re-
quirements and comforts of a large body of
men. and with little expense could be put
in proper sanitary condition, to care for
these people In a humane manner, should
vent dissemination of contagion."
In conversation with a Star reporter this
morning, DIR. Hammett said his report on
the subject fully explained what he thought
Of the place But" he said, these people
will be treated the same as all citizens
The law must be obeyed and shall insist
on the place being kept in a good sanitary
condition. There are sewers in that part of
the city, and IL the camp is to be continued
there for any length of time there must be
proper sewer connections and privy accom-
modations."
Sanitary Inspector Hoover will visit the
camp every day and report the result of his
inspection.