Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-02-09
OUR HEALTH NOT so BAD.
When Put on "A Footing with Other cities
We Arc Tenth-Reports Recommended.

We Are Tenth-Reports Recommended.
There was very important meeting OF
the Council Committee on Health last eve
ming. A number of matters OF vital In
-tpfsst to richmond were coifsidered. Or.
Oppenheimer, president of the Board OF
Health. submitted an ordinance with refe-
renee to plumbing in the city. 1t had
been prepared by the Doctor and approved
by the Plumbers Union. The measure pro-
vIdes for tine appointment OF n plumbing
inspector. and stipulates the manner In
which this work shall be done.
Mr.. Creery, secretary of the union, ana
several other members were present MI.
Creery spoke in favor of the ordinance
and showed how II would work to the ad-
vantage of all concerned, as well as to the
health Of the city.
A general discussion of the question was
INDUCED in, and IT was ordered that go
copies of the ordinance be copied and sent
To all master plumbers. etc, the matter to
be considered at the next meeting Of the
committee.
THE CITY'S DEATH-RATE.
Chairman Reeve presented the report he
was requested to prepare with reference to
the death-rate OF the city. 1t Is a long
and comprehensive document. In 1t Chair
man Retve speaks of the communication
from the Chamber Of Commerce on this
subject and says that its recommenda-
tion that experts from abroad be en-
plOyed 10 examine into the sanitary condi-
ton Of the city should not be adopted, for
the reasons that the prevalent opinion that
there has been an increase in the death
rate Of Richmond is untrue; that the
method of ascertaining the death-rate now
in use is incorrect, and does the city great
Injustice. He goes on to say that by the
present method-dividing by the popula-
ton as given in the last census-the total
number Of deaths, without making any al
lowance for the increased population for
ten years, false results are obtained. The
Chairman gives lot of figures in this
connection.
BY BOTH METHODS.
Chairman Reeve SAYS that by the incor-
rect methods he derives the following re-
suits as to Richmond's mortality:
Total deaths Os90 0......................2 2.063
Population (round numbers). ..........S2.00 .00O
Deaths par l.OD.... .......................20.H IL
lie gets the following results ty the
correct method:
Total deaths ds93). )...................... 2.063
Population by us..................S2.OO 1000
Increase OF population for years.. 1928
Deaths not counted In census........ $50
Total .................................s2 .s2.O7s
Deaths per 1000. 00........................ 2o.l4
He deems IL proper to eliminate from
the number of deaths all non-residents,
which are estimated at zoo and all homi-
cides, suicides and accidents which are
&C. This brings the average death-rate
per l.0o0 down TO 1911.
THE RESOLUTIONS.
In conclusion Chairman Reeve submitted
the following:
Resolved. That the Board Of Health be
authorized TO eliminate from their health
record the deaths of all non-residents;
that they add to the census figures l-l0th
of rs Is per cent. for each year since II
was taken; also. the number of deaths
not counted In the census each year, this
latter being thus made factor In the
population. or else eliminate all deaths
from their health estimates not counted
in census, giving their reasons therefor.
RICHMOND STANDS TENTH.
DIR. Oppenhimer presented carefully
prepared table, showing information Sc
cured by him from twenty Of the prin-
cpal cities In the country upon this sub
ject He demonstrates what he has many
times said that certain kinds OF deaths
are not included In other cities that are
embraced I'm Richmond reports.
Many OF the places heard rom have
their almshouses and hospitals just out
side the corporate limits. and do not
include non-residents. suicides. homicides.
sc. BY putting Richmond on a SINH
lar footing II is found to occupy tenth
position with reference to the mortality
rate.
Chairman Reeves report was recon-
mended to the Board OF Aldermen, and
the table prepared by DIR. Oppenhimer
was appended.