Evening star., 1898-03-12


was published in full in The Evening Star
of October Is and attracted widespread at
tention. because it set forth from actual
observation and study the superiority of
sand filtration over other methods
In December, 1894 QOth). the president
Oh this society was appointed chairman of
the committee on public health of the
Washington board of trade and continued
appointment of Gen. George NJ. Sternberg
in December, 1897 At a public meeting Of
the board of trade held January 22, 1895,
specially set apart for that purpose, the
health, IN an address, set forth the re-
suits of the investigation of the committee
of the medical society and urged the i'm
portance OF active and cooperative effort
OF the board of trade to secure such IeGis-
lation as would protect the community
from the prevalence and high death rate
OF typhoid fever. Several other public
meetings, one In the banquet hall of the
Shoreham, one in the parlor Of the Wash
1ngton Club and another at the Builders'
Exchange, were held during the month of
February, 1895, under the auspices of the
board OF trade, which were addressed by
the chairman and DR.. W. W. Johnston in
the hope that such impetus might be given
to public sentiment as might secure the
necessary legislation. In the report of the
committee on public health of the board
of trade, bearing date November II, 1895,
attention is called to the investigations
made by this society in 1894. In this re-
port the committee emphasize the import
ance OF the extension of the system of
sewerage and completion and publication
OF the water supply. including the aboli-
ton of pumps and wells and establishment
OF a proper system Of Sedimentation and
hitration. In the reports of 1896 and '97
the committee renews these recommenda-
uons to the board of trade. which have
been three times unanimously approved by
said board.
BY invitation, Prof. w. P. Mason of Troy,
doll ra6 To-
dress before this society on the subject
of water supply of cities, in which he set
forth the necessity of sedimentation and
filtration, and demonstrated the superiority
of sand filtration over all other known
methods.
Prof. Mason has made a special study of
the water supply of cities and is the author
of a text book on the subject, which is
generally accepted as the highest authority
in this country on that subject.
In 1885 the Commissioners of the District
of Columbia appointed DR.. George NJ. 10
Der special medical sanitary inspector, who
submitted. November "a, 1885, the result
of his investigation of 800 cases of ty-
phoid fever. selected at random from those
occurring in the District between July /,
1885 and October 81. 1895. inclusive" which
concludes with the following recommended
tons:
First The immediate closing of every
we'll in the District whenever a better
water supply can be obtained.
tension of all necessary sewers within the
city limits and the enforcement of the law
to make sewer connections.
Third. The abandonment of all box
privies within the city limits and the en-
actment of more stringent laws for the
prevention of soil pollution, together with
rigid, frequent and systematic inspec-
ton of all box privies- in the suburbs
Fourth. The improvement of the Poto-
mac water by means of filterng basins
and the extension of the water supply to
the suburbs at the earliest moment prac-
ticabe.
Fifth. Such measures as may be neces-
sary to improve the sanitary condition
in the lower part of the city, along the
Potomac and the Eastern branch, looking
to the reclamation of stagnant and pol
luted marshes and the prompt disposal Of
the sewage.
Sixth. The enactment of a law requiring
notification to the health officer of all cases
of typhoid fever and other infectious dis
eases in the District of Columbia, together
with rigid enforcement of the building
regulations requiring the cementing of eel
lars and Easements. to prevent contami-
nation of the air from polluted subsoils
and the systematic inspection Of dairies
iIauGurated by you.
"'In the meantime as q preventive meas
ure, l earnestly recommend to the public
the thorough disinfection of the excreta
from all typhoid fever patients and greater
care on the part of those connected with
and milk supply.
"A most conservative estimate demon
strates that the number of cases of typhoid
fever for the four months ending October
81 was scarcely less than 795. These cases
represented 3O.SO0 days lost in sickness at
an average cost of 81 per day. Assuming
an annual average of ] 800 cases, the loss
amounts to $4,000 per annum. thus indicat-
ing that it will be in the highest degree
wisdom as we'll as economy to apply
prompt. speedy and effective remedy
1T affords me great pleasure to testify
to the fact that my investigation tends to
confirm the conclusions reached by the
special committee appointed by the Medical
Society of the District of Columbia and
so ably presented in their report submitted
June 6, 1884,"
In October. 1895. in compliance with the
request of United States Attorney Brney
Drs. Busey. Kober and Woodward appear
ed before the grand jury of the District of
Columbia to testify in regard to the causes
and prevalence Of typhoid fever in this
District. In it's report to Judge Cole in
Criminal Court No. 1, submitted December
IS. 1895 CEvening Star December 1S, 1859.
the grand jury makes the following recon-
mendations:
That a system of sedimentation and
filtration in connection with the water sup
ply is primarily necessary
That the water supply is entirely made
quate and should be increased.
THAT as opportunity offers all pumps
and wells used for drinking purposes should
be closed.
THAT the use of box privies be discon-
tinued by law.
That all improved premises abutting on
public sewers and water mains should be
connected with such sewers and water
mains, and their occupancy unless so con-
nected. be prohibited by law
That legislation relative to a more thor
ough inspection of milk is absolutely es-
sential. and We earnestly hope and recon-
mend there may be such Immediate legls-
lation as will improve the sanitary condI-
tions along the Potomac and Eastern
branch. looking to the reclamation of the
marshes in that section and the disposal
of the polluted matter forced upon them
under the present sewerage system.
''At the moment the river should be
dredged from the mouth of every large
sewer to the river channel
We further recommend that a law be
executed compelling all physicians to re-
port to the health department every case
of zymotic disease coming to their knowl-
edge.
We make this report in the hone that IT
will stimulate the action on the part Of the
authorities charged with such vital question
as the public health, as well as to remind
the general government Of its RESPONSE
Diity in the premises"
In the report of the committee on public
health of this society submitted January
%, 1896 (see Public Health Report March
q, 1861, the conclusions and recommenda-
tiOns of the committee of 1884 are reaffirm-