Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-12-05

meningitis is unusual OF this disease Jos
cases were reported through the VoIun-
tary cooperation of physicians with the
health department, and of this number ~
were fatal. The danger resulting from
| the presence Of such disease and the de-
STABILITY of taking such steps as might
be possible to prevent 1t, led to the ap-
| pointment of an inspector for the purpose
of making the investigation necessary TO
that end. A report of this work Is print
ed in connection with the report of the
health officer.
"A fatal case of yellow fever occurred
November IS, $685. the only case of this
disease of which there is any record in
this District.
Births and Marriages.
The number of births reported during
the past year was but 4,757, manifestly less
than the number that occurred. The i'm
practicability of securing evidence of neg
lect on the part of those required by law
to make such report has rendered it ex-
tremeIy difficult to secure full returns.
There were reported during the year
l. 1873 marriages 1,164 less than the num-
Der of marriage licenses issued. 1t may be
questioned whether there is any good rea-
son why those officiating at the marriage
ceremonies should be required to make re-
ports to the health officer and also to the
Supreme Court of the District of Columbia.
in any case, however more accurate rec
Ords could be secured II the licenses issued
were directed to some particular minister
or other persons authorized to solemnize
marriages, rather than to any person so
authorized, as at present
Miscellaneous Work.
I'm connection with the work of the
health department there has been a gem
eral supervision over animals suffering with
contagious diseases. The facilities at the
disposal of that department for the dag
nosis of many such maladies and for the
fir,i,,
are insufficient. In addition to tuberculosis
among cattle, which is present at all times
cases of rabies, CHAMBERS, Texas fever, ac-
tnomyCOsis, hog cholera and swine plague
have received attention
For some years past the health de-
partment has been authorized by the Com
missioners to issue permits for the obstruc-
ton of travel on public streets to secure
quiet for persons seriously i'll. The num-
Der of such permits issued during the past
year was sixtyone, an increase Of seven
teen over the corresponding figure for the
preceding year. The matter is one which
1t seems desirable should be regulated by
congressional enactment.
The chemical laboratory has performed
its proper work in the analyses of wa
ter, food. drugs. and beverages and has
also assisted the police department by the
various analyses made for the purpose of
aiding in the detection Of crime. The
health department is not, however, pro-
Vided with a bacteriOlOgicaI laboratory
which, at times. especially with reference
to the analysis Of water from public works,
proves a source of embarrassment.
Live stock Inspections.
The inspection of live stock, recently rem
dered possible by the appointment of an in
spector. who can devote part of his time
to that purpose, has progressed as salts
factorIly as is possible in view of the IN
sufficient force. The Importance of this
work cannot be overestfmated, and provis-
ion should be made for additional inspec-
tors. The same may be said of the inspec-
ton of diaries and dairy farms.
There has been no change in the man
ner of collecting and dtsposing of garbage
has been reasonably satisfactory. The
method of disposal, by deposit along the
shores Of the Potomac river, outside of the
limits of the District, results in nuisance
and is by no means sources Of pride.
Attention is called to the necessity of
making some provision for the collection Of
the contents of box privies at public ex-
pense. Until this has been done there can
be no material improvement in the condi-
ton of such places. Such a service might
with great advantage be combined with
one for the collection of refuse of all sorts
ashes and trash Of various kinds
The Smoke Nuisance.
ION the I'd Of February, 1899. bill was
approved by the President providing for
the abolition Of the smoke nuisance; 1t be-
ing a law with the proviso that 1t should
go into effect six months from It's passage.
which brought the enforcement of the act
I'D to the % Of August. In accordance
with this law an inspector of the health
office was detailed to give his entire time
and attention to this matter. Observation
was made Of the various stacks emitting
dense volumes of black or gray smoke
warrants were issued for the arrest Of the
proprietors of the establishments bearing
the same, the cases were called in court,
and dismissed because the parties showed
to the satisfaction of the court that they
had made honest efforts to provide smoke
consumers and so to comply with the law.
The Commissioners were not satisfied
with this condition, believing that an at
tempt to provide a smoke consumer was
not a sufficient reason for exemption from
the penalties of the law, inasmuch as 1t is
well-known fact that there are other
ways of diminishing volumes of smoke,
and that even when smoke consumers are
applied a careless use of them accomplished
nothing In the direction of prevention; that
the substitution of hard coal for soft coal
Will diminish quantities of smoke; that
careful firing will have the same effect.
and. desiring to have the law thoroughly
tested, cases are now pending in the PO-
lice Court, which, it Is believed, will be
carried to the Court of Appeals. so that a
final and complete test of the law may be
made
Law Not Satisfactory.
is entirely satisfactory, as 1T exempts GER
tain classes of property and it is the opin-
ion of the Commissioners that this beauti-
full residence city should be completely rid
of the smoke nuisance. which is rapidly be-
coming serious menace to the beauty and
comfort of the capital, so as to warrant
the enactment of a law that will make All
buildings alike amenable to It's require
ments. In New York city war is being
vigorously waged against the smoke null
sance, but on entirely different basis,
the law there preventing the use of soft
coal, thus striking at the root of the mat
ter. Difficulties in the way Of enforcing
such law should not discourage a vigor
Gus prosecution of the attempt to rid the
city of smoke.
The Coroner.
The work Of the coroner as shown by
his report is another evidence Of the
growth OF the District. During the past
year a larger number of autopsies and ex-
amlnaticns have been made than ever be-
fore. The improvements in the morgue
have been completed, and while greatly
better conditions exist than heretofore, the
little building being quite complete in it