Birmingham state herald., 1897-07-08

long as the judgments stand against the city they affect its credit aRd stand as blot upon its records. While l see no possibility of an early payment of these claims, l would suggest that you con- sider ways and means for liquidation by compromise or otherwise, thus exhibiting an honorable purpose to deal fairly with this class of creditors. as well as others.
 SANITATION.
 Reports from the board of health fur nish evidence of the continued good health of the city. The figures show that the number of deaths from Decem- Der l. 1895, to June l. 1896 (six months), was 291. or IT IT per 1000 population per annum, while from December 1, 1896, to June 1, 1897, the number of deaths was 239, or 1S 2-3 per 1000 population per an- mum, thus showing a great improvement in the sanitary condition of the city over last year Statistics show absolutely that Birmingham is one of the healthiest of all American cities. The proportion of deaths among the colored people of the city is nearly double that of the whites It is shown by the records of the board of health that some years the death rate among the whites of the city is only to per 1000 per annum, and only one or two cities in America can make like showing. These deaths include those caused by accident as well as disease and in a great railroad center, in min
 
 percentage.
 The general sanitary condition of the city is excellent. Of course occasional complaints reach the authorities of neg lect but a willingness is expressed by the garbage contractors to give prompt attention to such matters. Eary in May a case of continent smallpox was brought to the city from Memphis. The case was at once reported and acting under the advice of the board of health you very TaIsornr1f1xy axep.ricp6 a1thnTitV and by expenditure of the necessary means isolation of the case and by quarantindng and vaccinating you stamped out the disease, and thus prevented it's spreading. Subsequently several suspicious looking cases appeared, in different parts of the city, but upon careful dfagrOsis made by the physicians, these were declared to be orfy cases of chicken-poX. However, these were isolated and treated with due precautie. at some expense to the city and county. Among other expenses at- tending the suppression of this disease was the purchase by this board of a four burner Formalehide dislnfectant ma chine, the most potent disinfectant known. which is row the property of the city, and can be used in prisons or else where at any time it may be needed.
 You having agreed with the county commissioners to join with them in the establishment of pest houses. having set aside a certain tract of lard on Rcd ii'1uhNsiH TUT lHlS pufpOSe, anu tH+ couH- ty will no doubt erect the buildings at an early day which will always. be ready in case of a threat tened epidemic of any kind. This is matter which should not be delayed.
 There is much wisdom in the exerctsa of precautionary measures for the sunpr g. sion or hiTlrarce of infectuous diseases. It is estimated by the authorities that in the seventies an epidemic of sma1inox cost the city of Philadelphia. including damage to the commercial interests of that city, over S2 00000o