The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-11-08

city Is about $4,000 a year. The work
requires only small part of the cor
oner's time and It could be performed
easily and more satisfactorily by two
medical exa miners on part time at
900 year each or less having the
medical examiners attached to the Of
fee OF the commonwealth attorney.
This would not only save about $500
a year. but II would be in accordance
with the tendency OF the times which
Is to abolish coroners ard coroners'
courts with their record Of irregulari-
ties in many communities. The very
nature OF the quasi judicial proceed
ings held by coroners, who are usually
not well yersed In the conduct OF legal
Investigations. opens the way to ire
gularities even with the best intention
ed coroners The coroner's status IN
Richmond is uncertain as he claims
TO he a state officer. while at the same
time he Is paid out Of the city treas
ury.
at is recommended that the posi-
ton Of the coroner be abolished and
that two medical examiners. one for
each side OF the river. be appointed
preferably by the commonwealth at
torney.
Sheriff and High Constable.
Inc SnsFIL bUU the tlISH NbtlSAt y "
duplicate each others functions.
Both are free officers and are limited
to maximum incomes (from fees) Of
$500 per annum, after January, 1918.
Fees collected in excess OF this amount
win be turned over to the state. The
anxiety OF the high constable to col
lect fees, a natural result of the fee
system of compensation. has led him
to the use OF "dunniug" notices that
are almost in the nature of threats
Since it's attention was called TO these
forms during the survey he has or
dered them discontinued, but their
use would never have been tolerated
except for the pernicious fee system.
cit is recommended that the Offices
Of sheriff and of high constable be
consolidated and that the business
Of these two offices be placed under
the supervision OF one official A sal
airy should be provided for this official
and all of the fees collected should
be turned into the public treasury.s
Department of Health.
While the health department as
managed at present and under the
previous health officer has done a
great deal towards improving condi-
tons. there are several matters of
serious Importance that require atten-
ton. Practically all OF these call for
changes in the laws. but II facts are
collected and presented in way that
Will arouse public interest the secur
ing of such amendments should not
be difficult.
Richmond has a high typhoid fever
rate Typhoid Is a preventabie ais
ease and its prevalence Is a blot upon
the record Of any city in these days.
No or cy1y Of fVYtho{a "a at FT1 q
difficult to trace and it would be al
most impossible TO lay the blame at
any particular condition In the city.
For one thing, the milk supply which
is so often suspected in other COM
uunities would. Il seems, almost be
disregarded in an investigation into
the causes Of this disease in Rich
mond because OF the high standards
of dairy inspection and milk require
ments that have been developed by
the health department. The tight
a gainst mosquitoes which has
been wageI necessarily has also re-
duced the possibility OF infection
that means as we'll rs prae-
tically eliminating malaria. But the
sanitary conditions owing to the alb
sence of sewer connections with
large number OF dwelling houses, the
presence OF bacillus coli In the water
supply. the use OF numerous wells.
springs and other sources OF water
supply apart from the city system,
and the criminal carelessness and in
surroundings at the public
markets may furnish the reasons for
the presence OF typhoid in Richmond.
II Is recommended that an exhaustive
study OF the origin OF cases and OF
sanitary conditions be tnaugurated
with view 10 euminat~
ing the points Of infection.
Should Improve Housing Conditions.
The housing conditions also. par
ticulariv in the negro sections, should
he radically improved. Many old dis
ease producing dwellings should be
torn down. 1t is we'll known 20 the
citizens of Richmond that many OF
the houses are unfit for human habi-
tatton. Other cities have removed
such pest spots and Richmond can
do il II the public SO willis. This stu
alton Is closely related not only TO the
health of the large negro population.
but to the Industrial effectiveness OF
the city as well. 4 growing tendency
on the part Of the negro to move
away from communities with poor
housing and living conditions 10 COM
munitits where better conditions pre-
vail has been noted OF late through
out the South. Unless inducements
IN the form OF improved conditions
are offered. Richmond may suffer
from the same tendency in the near
future.
s-eaea.aaeaacd- that LAWS
be secured from the legislature
empowering the health depart
raent to investigate the housing
conditions and enforce remedies.
The department should have the
power to condemn as unfit for
habitatioD and to order the de-
structton of houses that are
menace to the health of occupants
and to the community. TO exercise
control over building plans and TO
compel owners to- improve condi-
tions.
The inspection OF food Is crippled
because OF defects and omissions In
the city ordinances. The ordinances
definitely except the public markets
from the Jurisdiction of the food In
spections and conine the inspection
to dealers selling meat. butter fish,
fruit and vegetables. The ordinance
has been construed 70 mean that res
.aurants, eating houses and soda foun-
-ains, for example, are excepted from
The regulations of the food inspec~
Hon division. All Establishments
manufacturing. handling, storing, sell
ing or exposing for sale food or. drink !
Intended for human consumption
should be placed under the supervis- !
tor n rtStn n