The record-union., 1896-07-04
CITYS SANITARY CONDITION.
Health Officer H. L. Nichols Says II is
Quite Good.
A Glance Over the Past Year-A
New Sewerage System is
Needed.


| form his review of the sanitary con-
dition of the city during the fiscal year
just closed. AS a whole, it makes a
! good showing for the city.
Much of the report is given up to
statistical matter, embracing the figures
that have appeared in the monthly re-
ports. In his general review he says
Public Health-The general health
of the city during the year has
been good. No epidemic has occurred.
The total number of deaths for the year
| is 49, the causes of which are given
in the annexed tables, making an an
nual death rate per thousand inhabi-
| tants of 1923, being but a fraction
above the average rate for the preced-
| ing five years, and comparing most
| favorably with other cities of its size
SmallpoX-Not a case of smallpox
has occurred during the year in the
city.
Vaccination-Free vaccination has
been given to every person making ap-
plication for same.
| Diphtheria-Of diphtheria, thirty
nine cases have been reported during
the year, of which seven proved fatal
| antitoXin has been used to some eX-
|
| the percentage of deaths has been
somewhat lower than in previous years.
AS to what extent Gf any antitoxin
has had to do with this, it is impossi-
bic to say. To show if this drug is of
value, archaeological tests should be
made in cases in which it is used. At
the suggestion of President Hunting
| ton, quantity of antitoxin was pro-
l I L Il
| to such physicians as desired it. 1t
can now be had from the State Board
of Health by any licensed physician.
Probably before another year its value
/ will be better ascertained. Germs of
| diphtheria occasionally remain in the
throat some time after supposed recov-
cry. The meteorological test will deter
| mine such.
Scarlet Fever-Of this disease thirty
five cases were reported, of which only
three cases proved fatal. While no
germ has been recognized in this dis
ease, it is one of the most infectious,
and requires care and isolation for a
long time after apparent recovery.
Measles-Seventeen cases reported,
with two deaths resulting.
Typhoid Fever-But six deaths from
| typhoid fever have occurred, which is a
most excellent showing. Sixteen cases
| have been reported, but it is probable
more than that number has occurred,
but not reported.
Consumption-The ravages of this
dread disease during the year have
been extensive, resulting in seventy
five deaths. OF this number thirty five
were natives of California.
ings, schoolhouses, etc, have been ex-
amined frequently during the year, and
such sanitary improvements as seemed
needed were made. AS rule, the pub
| lie buildings are in as good a sanitary
condition as the character of some of
them will permit. A new city building
for the various departments of the city
| government is much needed. There is
also needed a new High School biuld-
ing.
County Jail-The County Jail seems
to be well managed the discipline be-
| ing good and inmates well cared for.
! Some provision however should be made
by which the female prisoners could be
kept separate and apart from the male
portion.
Charitable Institutions-The Protest
|
and most admirably managed. The chill
dren look cleanly and contented. Num-
Der Of children in the institution during
the year, 1913, and among the number
not death has occurred.
The Founding Home has had many
| disadvantages to contend with, and
the death rate Of the institution has
been quite large, but many changes and
Improvements have been made recently
and better results are anticipated in the
future. The managers have undoubtedly
done the best they could under the cir
| cumstanceS.
The ST Joseph's Convent, in charge
of the Sisters of Mercy, is a most worthy
institution and well managed by the
good women, who devote their lives to
charitable work
| Sewerage-This important matter still
| remains in an unsatisfactory condition.
| The Board of Trustees have spent con-
siderable time and money investigating
and having plans prepared for a system
adapted to the necessities of the city,
but so far have settled upon no positive
| system. About three years ago / sug
gested to the board and to the Trustees
a plan for conducting all sewage to res
| erYoirs below r street, near Front,
| where it could be treated by chemical
| precipitation, when the effiuent could be
! turned into the drainage canal or
pumped into the river, with no danger of
the city being enjoined. The residue
could readily be disposed of for fertiliz-
! ing purposes. / believe such a system
would be the best and in the end the
cheapest for the city.
| Garbage-A dumping ground for
| garbage and refuse matter has been To-
Gated at Fifteenth and V streets, with a
contract with the owner that he keep
the garbage covered as fast as depos-
/ tied. While this answers as a tempo
rary resort the proper method of dis
posing of garbage is by fire, and l
strongly recommend the erection of a
crematory. The Engle system seems to
| me to be we'll adapted for our city, and
could be built for reasonable sum.
| Milk and Food Inspection-The i'm
portance of sanitary supervision of
| dairies and markets and the sale of
milk and food therefrom has been duly
considered by the board and ordinances
relating to the subject are now in the
| hands of a special committee, which
| will report same, and when approved by
| this board will be submitted to the
Board of Trustees for their adoption.
|