Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-05

on account of the presence of smallpox.
! they have to vaccinate the poor by hum
| dreds. An effort should be made to secure
Remuneration for the physicians to the
poor, for the, extraordinary work done in
| this way during the past year to increase
| the salary to $40 per month, and to provide
each one with a telephone.
Cemeteries in the District.
l., There are now, IN this District thirty-eight
cemeteries In operation and one closed,
under the provisions of an act of Congress
approved August 3, 1894 With the rapid
increase in the population of the surround
ing country ground suitable for cemetery
purposes Is becoming scarce. and the ne
cessity for laws governing their location
and management is more apparent There
IS at present no restriction upon the loca-
ton of cemeteries. upon the number of
graves In given area or upon the depth Of
graves; nor does the law require any record
of interments and disinterments to be kept
at the burying ground.
While the majority of them are conduct
ed IL satisfactory manner, there are
some that are not.
The requirement that plat of a GEM
etery showing the location and number of
each lot be filed in the Office of the re-
| corder of deeds has, according to the de-
cision OF that officer, been repealed by the
act of August "a, 1894. which prohibits the
filing of any Plat of any subdivision in his
office. There is, therefore, no way of off,
cially recording the plats of cemeteries to
be hereafter established.
Laws should be enacted to remedy ex-
listing defects.
The public buryng ground, potter's field,
situated on reservation ID, Is fast encroach-
ing on the grounds belonging to the small
pox hospital. 1t will soon be necessary to
purchase another site for its extension, or
to erect crematory. in which the bodies of
paupers can be burned. The latter plan is
better
asked for that purpose.
Public Baths and Food Supply.
This District has recently established
free bathing beach. It is available. how
ever, only for a small part Of the year, and
to comparatively small number of peo-
pie. Many of the poor are at all times
without sufficient means Of securing per-
sonal cleanliness. AS matter relating to
public health. this is of interest to the en-
tire community. but especially to the large
number of householders who find it neces-
sarry to employ domestic servants. but are
unable to provide bathing facilities for
them. Public baths should be provided for
their accommodation.
A Public AbattOir Recommended,
The inspection of meat would be greatly
facilitated by the establishment of a public
abattoir. Such an institution would render
practicable an examination of live stock
prior to slaughter. 1t would prevent I'M
necessary cruelty in butchering, and would
do away with the numerous slaughter
houses now scattered throughout the Dis
trict to the annoyance, il not the injury, of
neighboi's and the depreciation of the value
OF adjoining property.
The Service Criticised.
He gives history of the garbage sery-
ice. and says:
The service during the past year was far
from being a model one. The total num-
ker of complaints received at this Office
during the twelve months was 4,142. Some
of these were due to carelessness on the
part OF householders, but many to neglect
on The part of the contractor. Urfortu-
nately, there was no remedy for either ur-
TIL the 'apsroriatior' act of March .. 1885,
Under these specific a tions the health off,
Ger can impose upon the contractor fines
LOT neglect; he can collect garbage and
dead animals and charge the cost of such
collection to the contractor, and he can
employ garbage inspectors at the con-
tractors expense. 1t is hoped that an i'm
proved service Will result when the new
contract goes into operation.
1t is not necessary to explain the i'm
portance Of sewers f1or to give a detailed
statement of the localities where they are
needed. 1t may be broadly stated that
they are needed in every part of the Dis
ing suburbs, as Brghtwood, Tenley town.
rakonna Park Brookland and others. 1t is
greatly to be hoped that some general sys-
TEN of sewers will be constructed and in
operation before an epidemic of cholera or
a further increase in our already too high
typhoid fever death rate. occurs to en-
phasize the need of such measure. Sew
erS viii not, however, serve their purpose
unless the owners of abutting property
can be made to connect such property with
them and TO replace box privies with proper
water closets. law should be speedily
enacted to accomplish this purpose. Since
sewers are constructed chiefly at public ex-
pense the government should require that
their use be not neglected by the individual
| to the detriment CT the community.
Better Laboratory Needed.
There should be renewed effort to provide
the District with a properly equipped BAG
THEOLOGICAL laboratory in connection with
the health department.
The analysis of milk was interfered with
by the passage of the act to regulate the
sale of milk and the changed conditions le-
sulting therefrom. Investigations have been
made of substances Submitted by the cor
oner, the Police Court and the police de-
partment. The equipment of the laboratory
is not, however. sufficiently complete to
conduct the delicate tests required in cases
of suspected criminal poisoning where the
life or death of an accused person may de-
pend upon the result.
Continual Sources of Pollution.
Until the recommendations in the pre-
ceding paragraph are carried into effect it
is We'll to clearly recognize the existence
throughout the District of an indefinite
number IF privies, constantly poliuting the
atmosphere, and, in many instances, the
soil ard the well water. Since these must
necessarily exist, for some time at least,
they should he regulated by proper laws to
replace or to supplement those now in
force.
Estimates for the Next Year.
The following estimates for the ensuing
year are respectfully submitted:
One health officer 5000.
One chief Inspector, who shall be a ply
Stefan and act as deputy health officer, ST.
500.