Year: 1876

LOCAL MATTERS.
TIHE MEALTM or RICHMosD.
+ SOME EXTRACTS FROM THE ANNUAL. RE-
| PORT OF THE BOARD-WHY RICHMOND
HAS BEEN so EXEMPT FROM DISEASE
| VALUE OF, HEALTH TO THE GENERAL
PROSPERITY OF THE CrTY--ABouT THE


CITY sEWERAGE-NECEsSI FOR AN IN
/ sPEoToR oFBUrLDINGs-B oNE-MrLLs, &c.


The Board OF Health OF Richmond in
their annual report for the past year call
the attention of the Council and the citizens
generally to the favorable exhibit as to the
public health OF the city; and say that
while the population has increased, the num-
Der OF deaths was only thirty five more than
during the year 1871. The extension OF the
sewerage OF the city; the rapid improve
ment Of the streets by grading, paving, and
macadamizing; abolition OF many sinks,
&C., by the rigid enforcement Of the culvert
ordinance; the new process OF conveying the
night-soil beyond the city limits; the atten-
tion paid to the removal OF garbage, and the
supervision exercised over the alleys OF the
city, are assigned by the Board as some Of
the most important causes for the eXemp-
tion from disease.


! The Board is satisfied that il sufficient
force were supplied to it, andthe cleansing
! OF the city entrusted 1t, our Ilortuary list
would he greatly decreased; and renew the
suggestion as to the enlargement Of their
powers.


They also call attention to the value OF
health to the general prosperity OF the city.
The wealth OF city consists more in the
character, good habits, industry, and health
Of its citizens than in the possession OF pro-
perty, IS the certain means OF acquiring
wealth.


Each case of sickness, as well as each
death, entails loss On q community in the
time necessary for the care and treatment OF
the patient by friends, and the necessary
medical attention, including medicines re-
Iquired-the loss OF the time and labor of
the sufferers, who are often the heads Of
families, being the most important items in
the calculation.


This subject is ably discussed by the per-
manent secretary Of the State Board OF
Health OF Virginia, DR.. I. S. Joynes, OF
this city. He says that in estimating the
expense OF sanitary system it must be re-
membered that nothing is SO costly to .
community as sickness and death.


We must consider the loss OF time from
labor and other active emplOyments consc-
quent upon sickness; the resulting loss OF
the rewards of labor, and in many instances
the distress Of families thereby occasioned;
the impairment Of physical and intellectual
yigor in many OF them who survive the at
tacks Of disease, and their premature with
drawal from active pursuits; more grievous
still the immediate and final removal by
death OF large proportion OF those who
bear the burdens OF society and do their
part in ali useful work; the expense OF fu.
nerals, and the support OF widows and or
phans so often falling upon the community
or upon the friends OF the deceased.


On the subject OF sewerage the Board says:
The beneficial results attending even the
partial introduction Of a system OF culverts
have become apparent, and their further
and rapid extension is loudly called for by
the citizens, not only for relieving the soil
of undue moisture, but to enable them to
free themselves from the foul and loathsome
sinks and privies now polluting the atmos-
phcre and breeding disease. Now and then
some tenement, owing. to faulty construc-
ton, becomes focus OF disease, the fears
OF the tirnid are aroused, and they are
ready to condemn the whole plan OF sewer
age as applied to the convenience OF remoV-
I ing night-soil. In every instance OF disease
generated in this way its cause has been
ascertained to be due to defective material
and careless workmanship. To avoid any
danger it is only necessary to employ COM
petent and honest workmen !; our city can
supply numbers possessing every requisite
and in whom unlimited confidence can be
reposed. There is no part OF building
which should receive more attention than
the arrangements for the drain-pipeS. Let
no idea of economy induce any one to en-
ploy incompetent, unreliable workmen be-
cause their bids may be small in comparison
with others of established reputation.


The Board makes this recommendation
concerning the bone-mill in the lower part
OF the city:


We trust that it will be the pleasure Of
the Council OF this city to take into careful
consideration the complaints OF its citizens,
and, when well founded, to apply remedies
to re3ieve them Of annoyances affecting not
only their comfort but ieoparding their
health. Personal examination by the MEM
bers of your bodies would satisfy you that
Legislative interference is demanded. we
respectfully urge that the erection OF such
establishments Shall hereafter be prohibited
within the city limits, and that those now in
operation be required to adopt the expedi-
ents needed to render them inoliensiye.


The Board calls attention to the necessity
for an inspector OF buildings. This in
spector or some officer should be charged
with the supervision OF structures from
their base to the roof. He should be re-
auired to inspect the plans and decide
whether sufficient strengths afforded in the
walls; whether sufficient light and ventiaa-
tion will be supplied, and ndprecautions taken
to prevent undue dampness; also, that safe
and sufficient modes OF ingress and egress
are furnished, especially to all public build
ings.


Your honorable body requires that per-
NIT shall be obtained for the erection OF
wooden structures above eight feet IN
height, but allows structures Of brick and
stone to be built in which no adequate pro-
vision is made for ventilation and light. In
numerous instances tenements have been
and are now being erected in this city
where the laws OF hygiene have been SO
completely lost sight OF as to strike the at
tention OF every one. The two great pro-
moters and preservators OF healtn-hght
and uentilation-haye been ignored. Sup
piled as they have been with the modern
improvements, in their freshness they pre-
sent an enticing aspect to persons seeking q
home, who engage them in ignorance or
without sufficient regard to the laus of
booJfb rrhoir oyperipnpn will anon teach