The record-union., 1896-07-08
ClTY SANITATION MATTERS.
Board Of Health Considers a Plumbers
Ordinance.
Complaint Against Dairy = A
Big Batch of Cesspools
Condemned.

Ihe regular monthly meeting of the
city Board of Health was held in the
Office OF Secretary Nichols last evening.
The flrst matter taken up was the con-
slderatlon of a proposed plumbing ordi-
nance, drafted by E. c. Hart on behalf
of the plumbers of this city
The salient features of the proposed
license are those which deal with the
question of plumbing in detail, and lay
down rules for the guidance of all work
men, relative to work done on every
kind OF property, old houses as well as
new. For the violation of any of the
details laid down a penalty is attached,
and the Board of Health is empowered
TO revoke the license of any person so
offending.
The proposed ordinance provides that
every person desirous of working at or
conducting the plumbing business must
pass rigid examination before the
Board of Health, and empowers the
board to call in as assistants at such
examinations two or more practical
plumbers After passing the required
examination the Health Officer shall is
sue the license.
The members of the board evidently
intended to give the matter a thorough
examination before reporting on it, and
asked that separate copies be made for
each member. This Mr.. Hart promised
TO do. and the matter was continued
until the next regular meeting.
Secretary Nichols reported that 81
deaths had occurred during the month
of June, as against 3S for May, and 40
for June, 1895. The percentage was
1880 per thousand, which was lower
than any time during the last ten years.
There had been II births reported,
TO males and IL females, and those fig
ures precipitated a discussion concern
ing the reporting of births. 1t was con-
tended that many physicians and mid
wives simply ignored the matter of re-
porting births. The opinion prevailed
that all births should be reported, or
none but no definite action was taken.
The City Physician reported that the
sanitary conditions at the Founding
Home showed marked Improvement
since the last meeting.
Complaints had also been made to
him that some of the sewage water of
the city had backed up on private
grounds, but he stated that as the river
continued to fall and the drainage pump
was once more at work, the nuisance
would soon be abated.
He further reported that the garba ge
dumped on the city dumping grounds
at Fifteenth and streets had, during
the past ten days, been kept we'll COW
cred with earth.
Assistant City Physician Ogden's re-
port was read, showing that 142 new
patients and 336 'repeaters'' had been
treated at the City Dispensary during
the month Of June.
The Sanitary Inspectors report was
read, showing the usual number of cess
pools, closets, etc, had been inspected,
nuisances abated and dead animals in
spected.
Sanitary Inspector Herr stated to the
board that there were quite a number
Of vaults and cesspools in the city which
he had ordered abated, to which order
the parties owning the property had
paid no attention He had visited the
City Attorney and asked that warrants
be issued for the arrest of the parties
but that official had refuesd, raising the
point that he had no right TO issue war
rants for the arrest Of the parties until
the closets had been condemned by the
City Board OF Health.
As a short way around the difficulty,
the board promptly condemned list
of closets presented by the Sanitary In
spector.
A communication was read from the
San Francisco Board of Health. stating
that a crusade was being made by that
body tending to the determination Of
contagious diseases, particularly tuber-
culosis in cattle, and requesting that
the Sacramento Board of Health co
operate with them in the movement.
Tt was determined to present the COM
munication to the Board of Supervisors,
where O proposed ordinance relative to
the subject is being considered.
Complaint had been made by a number
OF persons residing in the vicinity Of
Mahan's dairy that the cattle were
being fed on stable manure. which also
created a bad stencil and attracted
millions of flies.
The City Physician was authorized to
investigate, and he was empowered to
act. provided a nuisance prevailed.
No further business coming before it,
the meeting adjourned