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unclaimed for a period of one year, are to be used by the health officer for sanitary purposes. Until June 25, 1895, it had been customary, however, to deposit this balance as a part of the pound fees, the District only receiving the benefit indirectly, as in the case of any other receipt. But under the date above mentioned the right of the health officer to use this amount as a "sanitary fund" was sustained by the Comptroller of the Treasury. The amount deposited to the credit of this fund since that time and still remaining available is $22.15.

Attention is invited to the diminution in the amount of pound fees, and probably also in the amount of the receipts for dog licenses, through the ruling of the attorney for the District that the requirement of the act of June 19, 1878, that the pound master seize all dogs found running at large without the tax tag, impound them, and if they be not redeemed within forty-eight hours, sell or destroy them, is void. Under this ruling licensed dogs running at large, although without the tax tag, should not be impounded, and if impounded must be released without payment of fee, upon the presentation of the collector's receipt for the tax. As it is impossible to distinguish a licensed dog from one which is not licensed, except by the tag, many licensed dogs without tags are impounded, only to be released upon the presentation of the receipt. The work of the pound service is thus increased without any return therefor. The amount of the receipts for dog licenses is probably also diminished by the payment of one license for two dogs; the one not described on the collector's receipt wearing the tag, and thereby being protected from the pound men; while the release of the other, if it be impounded, is secured without expense by presenting the collector's receipt in which its description appears.

The urgent need for a new pound demands serious consideration. The structure at present used for that purpose is a disgrace to the community. When first built, in 1871, it was intended merely as a temporary arrangement for the accommodation of stray animals, as is indicated by its location in the middle of the roadway at the intersection of Twenty-third street, C street, and New York avenue. Its proposed tem porary character was, however, apparently soon lost sight of, and in 1880 it was enlarged to its present size, viz, 40 by 90 feet. It is not yet of suitable size or construction for the proper accommodation of impounded animals and of the apparatus and horses used in the service. There is scarcely anything connected with the establishment that does not need to be repaired or replaced. The dog pens are too small. The heavy wagon used for the conveyance of dogs in the city must be used for country work to the detriment of the horses. No provision exists for the destruction of animals by modern methods, which, while probably no less painful than that now employed, viz, by shooting, are certainly less repugnant and have less tendency to brutalize those responsible for their operation.

I respectfully renew, therefore, my previous recommendation that a suitable site be purchased and a permanent building be constructed for the accommodation of all the paraphernalia of the pound service and of impounded animals of all kinds, and provided with improved apparatus for destroying such animals as must meet this fate.

In view of the fact that some of the horses in the service of the health department must necessarily be provided for at the pound, it is respectfully recommended that provision be made for caring for all such horses there, instead of stabling them in rented quarters, as at present.

The estimated cost of making the improvement outlined above is $10,000, which amount is included in the estimates of this department

PROSECUTIONS.

The following table shows the number of cases in which warrants were issued at the instance of this department for the arrest of persons alleged to be guilty of having violated the various sanitary laws, and the outcome of their issue:

TABLE U.—Cases referred to the police court during the year ending June 30, 1897.

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In view of the almost uniform practice of the court of dismissing cases in which the nuisances have been abated after the issue of warrants and before the cases come to trial, a large number of such cases have been abandoned. The number is larger than it would otherwise be, because of the frequency with which cases are continued by the court after having been referred to it. The practice of continuing cases in which prosecution is instituted by the health department is bad in its effect, because the persons prosecuted have almost uniformly been granted ample time to comply with the law before warrants were requested. The continuance of such cases therefore permits unnecessarily the continuance of nuisances. Similarly the dismissing of cases in which nuisances have been abated after the issue of warrants has the same effect, for notice having been given to abate the nuisance within a specified time, failure to comply within that time would appear to constitute a violation of law, which could not be purged by any subsequent compliance. The practice of permitting a subsequent compliance to be offered as a good defense, and often granting time in which to make such compliance, has therefore the effect of inducing noncompliance with the notices originally served by the health department, and thus of increasing the work of the department, of the prosecuting attorneys, and of the courts. The matter is one, however, over which the department has no control.

Of 361 warrants issued, 101 have been canceled for the reasons stated above, and 6 have been canceled because the police have been unable to find the parties against whom they were issued. In one case col

lateral was forfeited. The entire number of cases, therefore, which came to trial was 253. In 94 per cent of these convictions were secured, but in only 43 per cent of convicted cases were penalties enforced. In the remainder, sentence was suspended in 4 cases and personal bonds taken in 132. The total amount of fines collected was $477.

It is interesting to note that 47 per cent of all warrants were issued for nuisances resulting from privies.

LEGISLATION.

The past year has been marked by great progress in the direction of securing necessary changes in the laws relating to sanitation in the District and to allied subjects. For the preparation of some of these laws and aid in the preparation of others, and for valuable assistance in securing their proper presentation to Congress, thanks are due to the Medical Society of the District of Columbia and to the Washington Homeopathic Medical Society.

Reference has already been made to the promulgation by the Commissioners of a regulation forbidding spitting in public conveyances, and others regulating the use and occupancy of buildings and grounds; also to the passage by Congress of laws to punish the impersonation of inspectors, to authorize the Commissioners to charge a fee for transcripts from the records, and to prevent the spread of contagious diseases; and certain laws passed by the Fifty-fourth Congress during the first session have been referred to in the preceding report of this department. It is therefore sufficient now to give the following summary of the status of legislation at the close of the Fifty-fourth Congress and at the close of the extraordinary session of the Fifty-fifth. Those bills introduced at the Fifty-fourth session and not passed are of course dead, while those introduced in the Fifty-fifth Congress are pending at the present time.

FIFTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.

A bill to provide for the care and cure of inebriates in the District of Columbia. H. R. No. 818. In the House of Representatives, reported back from the Committee on the District of Columbia (H. R. Report No. 649) and passed. In the Senate, reported back from the Committee on the District of Columbia adversely (S. Report No. 727) and recommitted.

A bill to regulate the practice of veterinary medicine and surgery in the District of Columbia. H. R. No. 2659. S. No. 1233. In the House of Representatives, reported back from the Committee on the District of Columbia (H. R. Report No. 870). In the Senate, referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.

A bill to establish the Washington Homeopathic Medical College. H. R. No. 4780. Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia. (For a bill for the same purpose in the Senate, see S. No. 1814, infra.)

A bill to provide street entrances to alleys in the District of Columbia. H. R. No. 5680. S. No. 1987. In the House of Representatives, referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia. In the Senate, referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.

A bill to prevent the adulteration of candy in the District of Columbia. H. R. No. 8679. Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia. (See H. R. No. 409, Fifty-fifth Congress, infra.)

A bill to prohibit cemeteries in the District of Columbia which will interfere with street extensions of the city of Washington. H. R. No. 8729. Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.

A bill to prevent the spread of contagions diseases in the H. R. No. 9023. H. R. Report No. 2524. S. Report No. 1461.

District of Columbia. Became a law March 3,

A bill for the regulation of cemeteries and the disposal of dead bodies in the District of Columbia. H. R. No. 9099. In the House of Representatives, reported back from the Committee on the District of Columbia (H. R. Report No. 2525) and passed. In the Senate, reported back from the Committee on the District of Columbia (S. Report No. 1462) and passed. Failed to become a law because of the failure of the President to sign it. (See S. No. 467, Fifty-fifth Congress, infra.) (This bill was passed at the close of the session. The failure of the President to sign it is attributed to lack of time and not to any objection to the measure itself.)

A bill to regulate privies in the District of Columbia. H. R. No. 9142. In the House of Representatives, reported back from the Committee on the District of Columbia (H. R. Report No. 2526) and passed. In the Senate, reported back from the Committee on the District of Columbia (S. Report No. 1460). (See S. No. 1258, Fifty-fifth Congress, infra.)

A bill to further regulate the sale of milk in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. H. R. No. 9645. Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia. (See S. No. 1084, Fifty-fifth Congress, infra.)

A bill authorizing the Commissioners of the District of Columbia to charge a fee for the issuance of transcripts from the records of the health department. H. R. No. 9821. (See H. R. Report No. 2793.) Became a law March 3, 1897. (See Public Document No. 135.)

A bill relating to the adulteration of foods and drugs in the District of Columbia. H. R. No. 9842. In the House of Representatives, reported back from the Committee on the District of Columbia (H. R. Report No. 2791) and passed. In the Senate, reported back from the Committee on the District of Columbia (S. Report No. 1458). (See S. No. 471, Fifty-fifth Congress, infra.)

A bill to restore medical freedom to the people of the District of Columbia. H. R. No. 9899. Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia. (See S. No. 1134, Fifty-fifth Congress, infra.)

A bill to regulate the sale of poisons in the District of Columbia. Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.

A bill to punish the impersonation of inspectors of the health ments of the District of Columbia. H. R. No. 9976. S. No. 3498. 2792. S. Report No. 1331. Passed. Became a law March 3, 1897. ment No. 111.)

H. R. No. 9902.

and other departH. R. Report No. (See Public Docu

A bill to amend an act to regulate the practice of pharmacy in the District of Columbia. H. R. No. 9980. Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia. A bill to regulate the sale of poisons in the District of Columbia. H. R. No. 10038. In the House of Representatives, reported back from the Committee on the District of Columbia (H. R. Report No. 2820) and passed. In the Senate, reported back from the Committee on the District of Columbia. (See S. No. 470, Fifty-fifth Congress, infra.)

A bill to amend an act entitled "An act to prohibit the interment of bodies in Graceland cemetery, in the District of Columbia.' Passed August 3, 1894. H. R. No. 10122. H. R. Report No. 2902. Became a law March 2, 1897. (See Public Document No. 112.)

A bill to relieve oppressed medical practitioners in the District of Columbia. H. R. No. 10170. Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.

A bill to amend an act to regulate the practice of pharmacy in the District of Columbia. H. R. No. 10332. S. No. 3605. In the House of Representatives, reported back from the Committee on the District of Columbia (H. R. Report No. 3022). In the Senate, referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia. (See H. R. No. 2281, S. No. 1330, Fifty-fifth Congress, infra.)

A bill to incorporate the Washington Homeopathic Medical College in the District of Columbia. S. No. 1814. Reported back adversely from the Committee on the District of Columbia (S. Report No. 529).

A bill to test the improved methods for the disposal of sewage and water filtration of villages and cities. S. No. 2123. Reported back adversely from the Committee on the District of Columbia (S. Report No. 878).

A bill to authorize the acquisition of certain real estate for the purpose of a site for a hospital for the treatment of contagious diseases. S. No. 3267. Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.

A bill for the prevention of smoke in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. S. No. 3648. Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia. (See S. No. 1085, Fifty-fifth Congress, infra.)

A joint resolution to establish a commission to investigate the sources of contamination of the Potomac River and report what legislation is necessary to remove and prevent such pollution. S. R. No. 194. Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia. (See proposed amendment to sundry civil bill, for investigation of pollution of water supplies, of January 29, 1897.)

FIFTY-FIFTH CONGRESS.

A bill for the regulation of cemeteries and the disposal of dead bodies in the District of Columbia. S. No. 467. Passed the Senate May 20, 1897.

A bill to regulate the sale of poisons in the District of Columbia. Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.

S. No. 470.

A bill relating to the adulteration of foods and drugs in the District of Columbia. S. No. 471. Passed the Senate May 29, 1897.

A bill to further regulate the sale of milk in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. S. No. 1084. Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.

A bill for the prevention of smoke in the District of Columbia, and for other purposes. S. No. 1085. Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.

A bill to restore medical freedom to the people of the District of Columbia. S. No. 1134. Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.

A bill to regulate, in the District of Columbia, the disposal of certain refuse, and for other purposes. S. No. 1258. Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.

A bill to amend an act to regulate the practice of pharmacy in the District of Columbia. S. No. 1330. H. R. No. 2281. In the Senate, referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.

A bill to prevent the adulteration of candy in the District of Columbia. H. R. No. 409.

A joint resolution authorizing the Commissioners of the District of Columbia to alter, amend, or repeal certain health ordinances. S. R. No. 34. Referred to the Committee on the District of Columbia.

EASTERN BRANCH FLATS.

In the report of this department for 1894-95 attention was briefly invited to the necessity for improving the vast tract of marsh located in the Eastern Branch or Anacostia River; and in the present report reference has already been made to the high death rate in the eastern section of the District when compared with the death rate for the entire portion of the District in which conditions of life are similar, which, it may fairly be assumed, is, to a certain extent at least, due to the presence of this marsh. But even the death rate can give no adequate idea of the injurious influence arising from this place, because the diseases most likely to result therefrom are not such as are in themselves commonly fatal, or, if so, act through such long periods of time as to render it likely that many of those who contract such diseases in this vicinity die elsewhere. For instance, malarial infection, which appears to bear the closest relation to the proximity of marsh land, is not often fatal in the forms in which it occurs in the District of Columbia; so that in the absence of any compulsory report of cases it is impossible to determine the extent to which it prevails. Similarly, the occurrence of pulmonary consumption is favored by a residence upon or near a damp soil; but in the absence of morbidity reports the relative degree to which this disease originates in the various sections of the District can not be estimated. Even, therefore, if the excess of the death rate in the Eastern Branch section over that for the county as a whole (35.82 per 1,000 for the former as compared with 27.92 for the latter) be partly due to causes other than the presence of this great marsh, which is probably the case, or even if it were wholly due to other causes, which there is no reason to believe, this department could not hesitate to urge the immediate improvement of these flats, upon the basis of general observation and experience of sanitarians as to the unwholesomeness of such conditions as now exist.

IMPROVEMENT OF THE SEWER SYSTEM.

So much attention has been given within the past few years to the study of the sewerage system of this District, with the view of effect

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