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

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 a 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 a matter
of regret. 1t is hoped during the coming
year that this service will be adjusted
upon a 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
q 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
the approval of the Commissioners. In the
interests of economy and good administra-
ton this establishment should be combined
with stable for such horses and vehicles
as required by the service OF the health
department
Food Inspection.
One of the most important duties of the
health department is the inspection of food
It is to be noted that this inspection has
been performed during the past year not
only with reference 20 the sanitary aspects
of the matter, but also from the standpoint
of police, viz, with reference to the pre-
yention of fraud by INSCRIPTIONS dealers.
From a sanitary standpoint, probably the
most important work has been in connec-
ton with the regulation of the sources of
milk supply; for minor Importance has
been attached to the mere adulteration of
this commodity with water, and to the alb
straction of cream, and attention has been
given chiefly to the supervision of the con-
dition under which it is produced and kept
For it must appear. even to the laity, that
milk which is not wholesome in the begin
ming cannot be made a desirable food af-
terward. and that even good milk may
readily become unwholesome by surround
ings which expose it to contamination by
foul gases or even infective matter, or
which favor it's decomposition, and in pro-
portion to the harm which may result from
these conditions, that which results from
the mere loss of nutritve value by the
fraudulent abstraction of cream is of Sec
ondary Importance.
A Chief Difficulty.
The chief difficulty which has been met
with in the supervision of the bare produce
ton of milk has resulted from the fact
that the force and contingent fund of the
health department have been insufficient to
permit it to exercise it's full power in re-
gard to the inspection of dairy farms locat-
ed in the adjacent states, as authorized by
the milk law now in force. The figures
given in the report of the health officer in
dicate conclusively the need of an inspec-
ton OF these places: OF the cattle used
for dairy purposes and located within the
District, 2.o9 per cent were found, upon in
spection, to be totally unfit for such use;
while of those in the adjoining states, where
no inspection could be made but reports as
to the condition of the cattle are received
from veterinarians employed by the milk
demned.
OF the applications for permits for the
maintenance of one or more dairy farms
within the District, where the premises
could be inspected. 40 per cent were re-
Jected In the case of applicants for per-
mission to ship milk into the District from
the adjoining states, which involves the
maintenance of one or more dairy farms
where no inspection could be made, but in
regard to which the health department had
to De guided by the statements of the appli-
cants, in no instance were the premises re-
ported as being in such a condition to
Justify the refusal of the permit.
Storage and Delivery.
In the matter of storing and delivering
milk serious defect seems to have been
met with in the absence of any provision of
law for the regulation of the temperament
before sale The &c hat chemical
changes begin in the milk before it reaches
the consumer. and materially impair its
wholesomeness and diminish it's keeping
properties Here again the small force at
the command of the health department has
seriously limited the amount of work that
could be done, and the inspection Of diaries
has been at the expense Of the examination
Of the milk il. the laboratory, and of the
analysis Of other commodities.
Inspection of Live stock.
The inspection of live stock has hardly
been sufficient to be of much practical
value, but 1t has indicated the need for ex-
tending this branch of the food inspection
service. AS provision is made annually for
the inspection of live stock all over the
United States. under the direction of the
bureau of animal industry, when it is to be
used for slaughter and shipment to other
states than that of slaughter, argument ap-
pears unnecessary to demonstrate the i'm
portance of work of this kind. The inaug-
uration of such a service has met with the
approval of the better class of butchers, as
it gives to the meat slaughtered by them a
guaranty as to soundnesS as great as that
given under authority of the government
to imported meats; SO that 1t is believed
that, in the interests of local Industries,
provision should be made for the inspec-
ton Of all meat slaughtered in this District.
Detection of Frauds.
Space will not permit more than a pass
ing comment upon the work of the health
department in the analysis of foods, drugs
and candy, with the view Of detecting
frauds in their composition and the pres
ence of harmful ingredients. Work of this
kind is in the interest not only Of the
consumer. but also Of the honest mer-
chant, who cannot enter into fair compe-
tition with unscrupulous dealers in adul-
terated foods and other commodities.
In view of the showing made in the re-
port Of the health officer as to the needs
of the food inspection service as outlined
above, it is recommended that the extern
sion of that ssrvice be authorized by the
passage Of necessary legislation for that
purpose. and by the provision of money
S,rff ician Ssat