Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-06

poX but little need be said as the CITY has
been, as usual, entirely free from this dis
ease. Attention is invited, however to the
need of SIP ecial fund for the suppression
OF this disease and others of the same
class under the provisions of the law re-
Gently passed, and for which an appropra-
ton has been asked in the estimates which
nave been submitted.
Gratifying Decrease.
1t is gratifying to note the marked de-
crease in the prevalence of scarlet fever
ard the extremely mild type of the dis
ease, there having been but 16o cases in
the community during the entire year, and
only one of these terminated fatally
Among fourteen principal cities in this
country, from which information was COL
lected, Washington stands eleventh with
respect to the proportionate number of
cases of this disease which occurred dur
ing the past year, and if the number of
deaths can be taken as the standard of
comparison 1t Is at the end of the list
The showing with reference to diphtheria
has not. however. been SO favorable when
compared with the previous record Of that
disease in the District as the number of
cases shows a very considerable increase.
The mortality from the disease has been,
however, exceptionally low, and despite
the number of cases it is as low as it has
been since 1889.
The number of cases of typhoid fever
that occurred during the past wear was
but 153 as compared with $40 of the year
preceding, and in the class known as diar-
rhoeal diseases there was a decrease from
i6S deaths to 35S The diminution in the
typhoid fever death rate is especially sat
isfactory. AS the present decrease has
correspondent with the closing of a consid-
cradle number of surface wells with the
improved drainage of large number OF
premises, including the replacement of box
privies by water closets, and with a closer
supervision Of the milk supply, we are
probably justified in expecting further
decrease of the prevalence of this disease.
But the experience of other places indi-
Gates that it cannot be expected to reach
a very low figure until the general water
supply of the city be subjected to a pro-
cess of filtration before being distributed
through the mains.
Deaths From TuberculOsis
The number of deaths from the various
forms of tuberculosis remains high in view
of the known preventable nature of these
diseases. This is source of regret. The
PRONUNCIATION of a regulation during the
past year forbiddins expectorating in pub
lie buildings and vehicles may be consid-
cred in the light of a beginning of more eX-
tended measures for the restriction of the
disease
Among the deaths from violence an un-
usually large number have been due to
crease cannot be ascertained, preventive
measures are, of course, impossible.
Among the accidental deaths fifteen re-
suited from injuries received from steam
railways and nine from those received from
street cars, making a total OF somewhat
more than 10 per cent of all deaths from
Violence. This number Is, however, prob
ably somewhat in excess of the actual
number of fatal accidents from these
causes which occurred in he District, as
not infrequently persons who have been
injured in the adjoining states brought
to the District for trea tment and die here,
while the reverse seldom, If ever, occurs.
Returns of Marriages..
1t is to be regretted that under the re-
Gently enacted law regulating marriages,
the returns made by the officiating clergy
men are by no means complete, as approx
imately so per cent of the marriages which
have been celebrate ted have not been re-
corded in the health Office. as required by
the previously existing ordinance, and the
adVisability of amending the law so as
to secure the desired record in Ill cases
Is suggested. In this connection the ad-
Visibility of issuing marriage licenses to
specified ministers, instead of to any per-
son authorized to celebrate marriages, as
suggested by the health olficeG merits con-
deration.
The Cemeteries.
The passage of u law to regulate the loca-
ton of cemeteries and the disposal of dead
bodies is respectfully recommended.
bill for that purpose, which was prepared
by the health department, and which
passed both houses of Congress during
the Fifty-fourth session, Is now pending
before the House of Representatives. hay
ing already passed the Senate. The need
iof such legislation is apparent when it
thousand dead bodies are consigned to the
earth OIL TINS District every year.
Water supply.
Special attention is invited to that part
of the report CT the health officer relating
10 the water supply Of the District Some
Improvement has been made through the
efforts OF the engineer department., in the
way OF closing shallow wells and replacing
them by deep ones, but information al
hand indicates that the general water sup.
ply derived from the Potomac river should
be improved, and Tor this purpose filtration
seems to be the only effective remedy
Unless it be proposed at once to establish
system of filtration, an investigation
into the character of the water supply
should De made so as to definitely prove or
disprove the allega tions which have been
made against it, for SO long they re-
main unsettled they materially affect the
desirability of this city as a place of resi-
dence, and II they be correct there can
be no question as to the need Of improve
ment.
Abatement of Nuisances.
The difficulty incurred by the health de-
partment in securing the abatement of
nuisances upon the property of non-resi-
dent owners is serious one and demands
remedial legislation.
Garbage and Refuse.
The collection of garbage and dead ami
mails has been continued under the contract
in force during the preceding year. So far
as the matter of collection alone has been
concerned, the service rendered by the con-
tractor has been very good. The delay in
the erection of the second crematory re-
quired by this contract has been, however,
the cause of some complaint and the I'M
satisfactory character of the work Of this
crematory after erection has been matter
of regret. 1t is hoped during the coming
year that this service will be adjusted
upon satisfactory and permanent basis.
In this connection attention Is invited to
the absence Of any provision for the collec
ton or disposal Of any form of house refuse
other than garbage. The establishment of
a general scaVenger service for the collec
ton and disposal of ashes. miscellaneous
refuse and night soil is recommended.
The Pound.
The recommendation Of the health officer
for the erection of a new pound meets with
<~c% To- 1,