Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1922-03-31

1887, the authority OF the Churcn III
things temporal ceased, 4 hustlngs
court was established, and the ward
ems Of the town reported ct eacn
meeting Of the court, the condition
and treatment of orphans and paupers-
Vcrv early in the towns history
board OF health was established CON
sisting OF 8 members and heaith
officer who was a physician for many
years. DR.. Z. c. Dick held TINS posi-.
ton. 1t was the duty of the board OF
health to see that all streets ana
alleys were kept clean and that the
market master kept the market square
in good and clearly condition and
that he condemn all produce unit Tor
sale. The board Of health was rep
resented at different times by Two
members, to inspect all incoming
stages and packets at such time as any
endemic or malignant disease was IN
the country. The health officer had
to take all precautions and not render
certificate of health to any vessel
unless deserved, and for every over
sight he was fined D pounds. lie was
to receive reasonable compensation
! for each day employed on Official
duties. The City Council had Juns-
! diction over the harbor or any part
of it below "Pearsons Island" for pre-
venting and removing nuisances that
| might be preiudicial to the health OF
| the town. even if on board OF vessels
lying off the shore.
In 1890 smallpox having broken out
in several places in Alexandria, per-
mission was granted by the court to
Introduce incubation, which took place
| forthwith and within a few days 600
people were inoculated. In 1897 there
was a very fatal epidemic of yellow
| fever. many prominent citizens sue
cumbed to it and Governor John Wood
of Virginia ordered strict quaren-
tine at Alexandria and appointed DR..
Dick as superintendent. The news
papers of the time call attention to the
bad condition of lower Prince street
and stringent orders prohibited the
throwing Of rubbish and other NUS
ance in the streets. No sunken places
such as could contain stagnant water
were allowed under penalty OF a
heavy fine. A Mechanics Relief So.
ciety met at Meningitis Tavern and
all caritable persons were interested
/ in freeing the town of this dread dis
ease. In 1900 an Act of Council was
passed to procure suitable house for
! the poor of the town, and proper
| keeper for those committed to the
work house. This was accomplished
! the following year, when the COM
modious old structure which is still an
ornament of the country side was
built. Ten acres of land adjoining 1t
were purchased for a,-small farm TO
be worked by those paupers who were
able and by those persons committed
| for vaerancv or small offences
against the law. At the close of the
eighteenth century the town had
largely outgrown its original limit of
Sc half acre lots, and as the old grave
digger John Nitisjail said There was
right smart chance Of people here
in 1885,
Alexandria was loyal old town,
its people bound together by a COM
munity of ideas--not progressive,
perhaps. nor as 4 whole well educated,
! education in the higher branches be-
ING confined with but few exceptions
, to professional men. They knew moth
| ing of the germs. bacteria or microbes
that lurked in the grass grown
streets, but they were clear minded
men, our old city fathers, and the
faith ministrations Of the family ply
sician, and loving friend, often brought
about the same results accomplished
by our modern scientific physicians
and trained nurses, and they no less
deserve the tribute of the sage who
wrote
ale is most nearly akin to the Gods
who giveth health to his fellow men. "