The times., 1898-12-28

The following letter was addressed TO
President Theodore w. Noyes. of the
Washington Board of Trade, yesterday by
the District Commissioners, regarding the
establishment OF municipal disinfecting
station:
Theodore W. Noyes, President OF the Washington
Board Of Trade:
Dear Sir: At The suggestion OF Mr.. d. II.
Warner, communicated through DIR. W. q. Wood
ward, health officer of the district of Columbia,
the Commissioners have the honor to request the
cooperation OF the Beard of Trade in securing an
appropriation such will enable The Commis-
sioneIs to maintain properly y-eqiipped disnfect-
ing service III connection with the health depart
nient. general appropriation is made annually
TO give effect TO the act to preven. the spread
of scarlet fever and diphtheria in the District of
Columbia, but the amount OF the appropriation
is barely sufficient to provide for the placarding
OF houses, meteorological examination of diph-
liberia cultures, and The disinfeetion of mattresses
and other like articles which can be removed TO
the municipal disinfecting station and disinfected
by steam. But, because no funds available
with which the Commissioners can undertake the
disiniection Of infected apartments and their
tents, other than those specified above, such dsin-
lection Is OF necessity intfusted to those who have
charge of the patients WHO are generally I'M
fitted for the proper performance of such work
because of lack OF technical training. and who
must now do il without proper supervision.
The Commissioners submitted 10 Congress an
estimate OF 5000 TO enable them to maintain
disnfeeting service during the year ending June
30. 1900 but this item was stricken out of the
District appropriation bill before it passed the
House. 1t is desirable, therefore, thar an effort
be made at the present time 10 secure its inscr-
iion while the bill is pending before the Senate.
1t would moreover, be advantageous TO have the
appropriation made So as 10 be available upon
the passage OF the act, so that the public
have the benefit of the service at once The
operation of the Board of fradc to that end is
therefore respectfully requested.
Ii is important that il should be understood
that the appropriation is asked in addition to
the amount specifically appropriated for the en-
scarlet fever and diplrthcria," for The amount
appropriated for that purpose is necessary
continue the placarding of houses, etc, as re-
quired by law. Very respectfully,
JOHN B. WIGHT.
The Commissioners are very desirous of
establishing the proposed disinfecting sta
tion and will leave no stone unturned in
their efforts to have the amount asked for
appropriated. 1t is pointed out that the
sum asked for is absolutely necessary for
the preservation of the health of the resi-
dents OF the District At present there is
no general rule 10 be followed by the
officers in enforcing the health laws and il
is absolutely impossible for persons unac-
quainted with the use of disinfectants to
properly supervise the cleansing of house
or neighborhoood of the germs and bae-
terra which breed infectious and conta-
gious diseases.
1t is desired by the Commissioners TO
establish some central point where all
things that require disinfeeting can be
brought and to employ persons able to take
charge OF the work of stamping the dis
ease out OF a neighborhood or house. The
cooperation of all the people in the city
toward the securing of necessary funds to
carry out the purpose os the Commission
ers is, therefore, requested.