The evening times., 1895-10-07

ollICtT NOOuWdEu ndNibS
investigation made of the prevailing ru-
| mors with respect to the existence of an
unusual number of typhoid fever cases in
the District.
DIR. Woodward was asked to-day by a
Times reporter whether or not, in his
opinion, the number of cases would reach
1000 or more, as stated and replied in the
negative.
That report" he said, ''is largely over
drawn. Reliable statistics show the death
rate from typhoid fever is as 10 to 100,
and If it were true that we had 1000
cases in the District, you can see that by
the most conservative estimate the num-
Der of deaths from that source would reach
100 during each period equal to that
period of the disease in which most deaths
| occur, which is five weeks"
Turning to the reports for the past five
weeks, he said:
The total number of deaths from typhoid
fever in that period is but sixty-six. The
number for the month of September just
past is, however, just double what 1t was
in the month of September, 1894 and 1898
respectively.
EXACT DATA LACKING.
I'VE have no data that will justify any
absolute statements as to the present num-
Der of cases, but there are probably from
400 to GOO in the entire District.
II am now and have been for some time
engaged in an investigation of the existing
conditions. An inspector is preparing a
report of his inquiries in Brookland and vi
cinity, Takoma Park and Mount Pleasant.
When it is completed, Ishall be bile to form
correct estimate of the situation"
In addition to the special Investigation by
the inspectors, DR.. Woodward has addressed
to the physicians of the District a circular
letter, which is seif-explanatory, and is
as follows:
''ln view OF the large number OF deaths
from typhoid fever, which have recently
been reported to this department, your as
Sistance is requested in making complete
the investigation which is row being con-
Quoted, TO ascertain the cause OF the preva-
lence of the disease and the proper measures
TO be adopted for its prevention. VIII you
kindly report on the enclosed cards such
cases OF typhoid fever as have occurred
among your patients since July /, 1895,
or which may occur hereafter? Or, IL
preferred, will you kindly forward the
necessary cards to families in which cases
have occurred, with n request that they
make the report desired"
MIR. wYNCooP's WALL.
Attorney Thomas has rendered an opinion
erectei by j. A. Wyncoop on premises
owned by him in the rear of Nos. 403 and
405 First street southeast, in which he sus-
tains the contention made by Attorney
c. a IraEdelbuVg, attorney for Mr..
WyicOop and decides an all-important
point. Sir. Thomas says:
THE building regulations have nothing to
do with dividing walls or fences, unless
they are party walls or fences The wall
hrf n..i1 1I,nr ~
that the building regulation do not apply,
and that you cannot compel Mr.. Wyncoop
to reduce its height, notwithstanding the
wall proves inconvenient to the owner
of the adjoining premises by shutting off
his light and air"
The opinion has the approval OF the
Commissioners.
Mr.. Wynkoop's wall was built to a
height of sixteen feet. and upon complaint
being made he was ordered by the build
ing Inspector to reduce il seven feet.
Mr.. Wynkoop appealed from this decis-
ion. upon the grounds that the rear walls
OF the adjacent houses are party walls
baiit partly on his ground. and tnat party
fence divides the ground formed by the
triangle. He therefore had the right to
build a wall TO any height within the party
fence ard on his own grounds.
HE HAS A GRIEVANCE.
Mr.. H. C. McCauley, who in August
last purchased the right to use the public
scales at the Georgetown Market. called
upon the Commissioners to-day to state
q grievance.
The scales are located Immediately in
the rear of the market-house, and when
the produce dealers were permitted to
occupy NJ street wagons could be driven
down a side street to the scales a nd out
again by another street.
(ltx.it, fs. fha y gin nf
ington and Georgetown Railroad, and
the occupancy of the street by the tracks,
the dealers were transferred to another
stand, and the distinctions are such as
to prevent the free use of the scales.
Mr.. McCauley requested that the market
men be restored to their old stand during
theIife of his contract.
The matter will be considered by the
board.
The Commissioners heard A. W. Cald-
well to-day in support of the adoption by
the District of a crcmatory plan of his in
vention for the destruction of the city's
Mr.. George C. Demo.
After hearing his exposition of the opera
tion OF the plant now in use in New York
city, the Commissioners admitted that the
plan was worthy of consideration. and he
was referred to Health Officer Woodward
for further explanation.
Engineers license of the third class was
issued to-day to Anson A. Palmer.