REPORTS FROM TOWNS. IN RELATION TO SANITARY IMPROVEMENTS, ETC. It has been previously observed, that a complete annual report of a State Board of Health properly includes an account of the measures taken each year by municipal authorities, corporations or individuals, for the promotion of the health of the communities under their respective supervision or control. In order, therefore, to ascertain the facts in relation to such measures, and for the purpose of presentation in this Report, as in the reports heretofore issued, and in the continuance of the design to keep well informed of all proceedings throughout the State, on the part of town or city councils, or any form of municipal authority, in the appointment of health officers or boards of health, and in the direction of improvements which have in view and seem to promise the promotion of public health; by the abatement of nuisances; or the removal of unsanitary conditions and surroundings; or by the introduction of water for general use or construction of sewers; or the establishment of other public works, which may not only be of great public utility and convenience, but also serve in some measure, large or small, in the prevention of disease, the Secretary has, as heretofore, solicited replies from the town and city clerks of the several towns and cities, or other municipal officers, in answer to questions proposed in a circular sent for that purpose. It is designed and hoped that a connected history may thereby be secured of all sanitary improvements of a public character in all parts of the State, from year to year; and the gradual awakening of the citizens of the different towns to the necessity of sanitary public measures shown; and also whatever intelligent appreciation of such necessity and whatever public spirit in existence in the towns there may be, as manifested by the readiness with which needed sanitary measures are adopted. The following is the form of circular sent at close of the year 1891. CIRCULAR No. 130. OFFICE OF SECRETARY STATE BOARD OF HEALTH, 48 WEYBOSSET STREET, PROVIDENCE, R. I. Jan. 1, 1892. To the Town Clerk: It is, by statute law, made the duty of the Secretary of the State Board of Health to make inquiries of town or city clerks, or of the clerks of local boards of health, in regard to the general health and sanitary condition of the towns, and also in regard to measures taken for the improvement of the same. The law reads as follows: PUBLIC STATUTES, CHAPTER 83. SEC. 6. The Secretary of the said Board shall make inquiry, from time to time, of the clerks of town and local boards of health, and practicing physi cians, in relation to the prevalence of any disease, or knowledge of any known or generally believed source of disease, or causes of general ill health, and also in relation to the proceedings of the said boards of health, in respect to acts for the promotion and the protection of the public health, and also in relation to diseases among domestic animals, in their several towns and localities, respectively, and the said clerks of town and local boards of health, and said practicing physicians, shall give such information, in reply to said inquiries, of such facts and circumstances as have come to their knowledge. The Secretary therefore respectfully makes the following inquiries: 1. Has any work for the promotion of public health been contemplated or completed in your town by the town authorities, or by private enterprise, during the year? If any, please state what. 2. If by introduction or extension of water service for general use, please state what proportion of the population, by estimation, was supplied with the same at the end of the year.* 3. If by sewerage, state what the aggregate length of sewers, by estimation or otherwise, and about what proportion of the population had drainage connection with them at the end of the year.* * If not known by the person replying, please state where or of whom such information may be obtained. |