The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-06-11


The report submitted by the health officer
places before the public succinct yet com
plete and intelligent statement of the health
affairs of the city for the year. In IL the
health officer deals with sanitary matters in
positive and straightforward manner, and
furnishes statement in reference to the cpl
demic at Brunswick, which is of public inter
est.
The following important matters suggested
in the report Of the health officer are briefly
alluded TO here:
The inadequate capacity Of the colored
hospital to meet the demands upon it, the
objection to open scavenger carts and the
necessity of another crematory for the de-
struction Of garbage, etc. the purchase of
site for new cemetery; the mortality
among the colored people"
4 he question of Legislation looking to pro-
lection from the large number of INDECENT
sick and paupers, white and colored, who
come to this city and ind their way to the
hospitals, or become charge upon our char
liable institutions, suggests itself for cousid-
Grafton. This is a difficult matter TO deal
with. Charity prompts us 20 give treatment
to strangers who are sick, and 10 is hard in.
deed to turn from our doors the needy, even
though they be not OF our city, but the num-
Der Of these people who come to Savannah
under the circumstances stated and who are
without means to meet their necessary OK
penses, is growing, and, in fact, has already
assumed such large proportions that to meet
this either the hospitals will have to be en-
larged or some steps taken by legislation on
imposition
in a former report the mayor recommended
to council the ACCESSIBILITY Of having the gar
bage removed In covered carts but he regrets
10 say that up to this time nothing has been
done to that end. The necessity for another
Crematory Is so apparent that the city will
probably erect such as soon as an approprla-
ton for the purpose IS availai le.
1t has been stated by physicians, and IL is
mentioned as fact by the health officer
that the residents aTotnd and about Laurel
Grove cemetery suffer from diseases super
induced by burials there, and by the vaults
above ground which are not so sealed as to
prevent the escape OF injurious gases which
permeate the neighbOrhood. This question
should receive the attention OF council, The
matter has been talked of in a desultory way,
but UP TO this time nothing definite has been
done,
The mayor again calls attention the condi-
ton of the old cemetery on South Broad
street The remains In the vaults therein
are, in many cases. exposed to view, and the
dilapited condition of the vaults and sur
roundings are such as to impress one UNI
favorably in the extreme. II would be best
TO collect these remains into one receptacle
and place them in portion Of the cemetery
where they would be undisturoed, or remove
them to another place OF burial, where they
might rest free from interference OF persons
who often find their way into the cemetery
without permission and deseCrate 1t. In its
present condition the cemetery is an eye
sore and will continue so as long as the ques-
ton OF title or the right of the city 10 i'm
prove 1t prevails 1t would be much better
II the cemetery could be abandoned entirely
as a relic. the fence removed, and the streets
opened through It,
An examination OF the health statistics i'm
presses upon US the inattentiOn OF colOred
people TO proper habits necessary for the
protection OF their health and the neglect on
their part OF their sick. II Is the opinion OF
the physicians, and they should certainly
know OF what they speak that the great NOR
tally among the LOlOred people Is due
10 want OF proper medical attendance and
care. IN order to furnish such the city
authorities, some time since increased the
numt err Of city physicians. and redistricted
the city so as 10 enable the city physicians to
promptly respond to the calls made upon
them by the INDECENT sick The purpose Of
the city, however. in this respect, has been
considerably frustrated by the failure OF the
cOlored people 10 seek medical aid when ne
cessary. This Is especially so with regard to
colored children. whose mortality from neg.
lect is fearful to think Of How TO obviate
II IL could be done 10 would not alone be an
act OF humanity, but would also relieve the
city Of large mortality which is averaged
up against IL.
The establishment Of city dispensaries In
different portions OF the city has given better
services TO the sick POOR. 1t has cost the
city more than the running OF the old dispen-
say, but this extra cost is attributed some
what TO the imperfect working OF the system
in the beginning, and II Is believed, and is APP
parent at this time that the expense for this
purpose for 1894 Will be less in comparison
with improved service, the result Of expe-
rience gained in dealing with the system.
The sanitary board. during the year, has
continued as in the past to carefully protect
the public health. All matters brought 70
their attention by citizens and by ofcers OF
the city government have met with prompt
attention and were promptly looked AFTER.
he health officer who Is also secretary
and executive officer Of the board OF sanitary
commissioners. has discharged the duties OF
his office In an energetic painstakinR and
fearless manner. When our city Was threat.
ened by the epidemic a. Brunswick he was