Year: 1871

THE PUBLIC HEALTH.
INTERESTING REPORT AND IMPORT


ANT RECOMMENDATIONS. -. -.


The suhjoined report was presented by
the president OF the Board of Health to the
City Council at the last meeting of TINT
body: ..


OFFICE OF THE BOARD OF HEALTH,


RICHMOND, VA, July II, 1871.


Gentlemen /: We consider it q matter of
sufficient. Interest to communicate to your
honorable body that we lind, from eXami-
nation Of the mortuary reports Complied at
compares most favorably with that Of
others, as far rs the white population is
concerned. In respect to the colored popu-
lation, however, the rate is not 80 favora-
ble-a result attributable to causes which.
in the main, are sufficiently obvious to pre-
clude the necessity of discussing them.


We are highly gratifed with the working
of the burial-permit system. BY its aid we
have already accumulated large amount
of valuable information, the utility of
which will increase year by year. This in
formation Is especially appreciated by our
physicians; but we are pleased to know
that il has proved serviceable in various
ways to, other classes of the community.
Our reports are also sought after in other
cities, where they are being used with great
satisfaction by those engaged in the import
ant work of compiling vital statistics. We
take great pains to make our statistics re-
liable, and are now endeavoring to mature
q plan for rendering them mole complete
by the establishment Of registry of births,
Wfich we hope to accomplish at little or no
expense to the city. 1t would aid us in
this, and be at the same Lime advantageous
to the city in many ways, were you to fa-
Yorably consider the suggestions we have
heretofore urged for the appointment of
three sanitary inspectors, whose special
duty it should be to make repeated inspec-
tions of the whole city, and report to this
office. The registration Of births could be
contided TO the same officers.


Although the cleansing Of the streets is
no longer under our control, we would
suggest that a more rigid enforcement Of
some Of the health ordinances would mate
rally facilitate the labor of the City Epgi-
neer in keeping them in proper order.
During the heated term the force of labor
ers and carts under his control could not
be more advantageously employed than in
cleansing and purifying the streets and al
levs of the city. Owing TO the efficiency
and energy Of that officer our streets are
in better condition than they ever have
been, and the services of this force could
be temporarily spared for that duty.


A considerable rise above the average
weekly mortality has recently occurred.
This does not, however, indicate the exist
ence Of any epidemic in the city, nor
special NAL iguancy of any particular mall
ady :; but the excess is distributed amongst
4 great number of diseases, "r.-


We cannot close this communication
without calling your attention to a question
affecting the comfort and health OF every
citizen, viz : full supply of pure water.
We respectfully urge your early and espe-
cial attention to this pressing want. In
place Of the rigid economy and veXatious
surveillance now exercised over the use OF
the hydrants, a judicious policy would die
tate the furnishing Of full supply of wa
ter and the encouragement of liberal use
of ii. We recommend the establishment of
free hydrants in those parts Of the city oc-
cupied by the poorer classes. In this way
discourage the use OF water procured from
wells or springs. many Of which are con-
tamlnated by animal, vegetable, and mine
raj impurities. In our opinion, all the wells
and springs within the comparatively thick
ly built-up part Of the city, by reason of
their proximity to cesspools, sinks, and
culverts, are open to grave suspicion, and
the use Of water from them calculated to
produce disease. In conclusion, we ask
that the police be authorized and required
to flush the cutters at least twice a week
during the summer in all places where they
become offensive from the grade not allow
ing a rapid flow Of water. AZ So s.,
Respectfully, r.. r...,....-.
j. G. CABELL, M. D., &
PRESIDENT OF the Board of Health.
To the President and Members of the Citu
Council. -
While ali of this report is interesting and
its publication seasonable, there are one or
two paragraphs to which we would call the
special attention not only of the City Coun-
Gil, whose imperative duty il is to make such
sanitary regulations Us may be necessary
for the health of the city, but of the people
generally, without whose cooperation reg
ulations are of little avail. The Board Of
Health can accomplish little, indeed, unless
they are literally backed by the Council,
and unless citizens pay some regard to
their own physical welfare.


The remarks of the board in relation to
the water supply are particularly import
ant. All physicians agree that impure
F! walter is one of the best promoters OF
| disease, and the faculty in Richmond are
almost unanimous in the opinion that it is
not safe to drink the spring and well water,
which many persons prefer on &C..
| connt of it's clearness. Numerous cases or
disease and death have resulted from drink
| ing this impure water during the present
summer. The hydrant at the corner or
Main and 9th streets, connected WIN a
spring in the Square, being strongly i'm
fpreenated with Impurities, is Thought 10
be particularly Objectionable. There IS
also q certain well in the city which, ID the
opinion OF the board, is dangerous TO the
health of those who use its water or i've IN
the neighborhood. The city, upon the re,
commendation of the board, has extended
the water facilities on that street, but the
well is still in use.
| We ought to have about twenty. i've pub
| lie hvdrants of river water, located at va
rious points OF the city, and there can be
1 no better time than the preseat for ma king
an appropriation for the purpose. The ap-
! pearanee of the cholera in Asia and Europe,
and our experience of Its rapid strides
from the east to the west, warns us that the
subject OF the public health cannot be; loo


seriously considered. @....


FOREIGN CLEARANoEs.-The North Ger
man bark Braziliera, Captain +. Jarhen,
cleared yesterday for Rio de Janiero with
flour from the Gallego Mills Manufacturing
Company. Her cargo consisted OF o'0i2
whole and 200 half barrels.