CITY OF BOSTON.

IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, July 17, 1871.

Ordered: That the Committee on Health consider and report upon the expediency of procuring a tug-boat for the performance of Quarantine services and for the conveyance of sick persons to Deer Island.

S. F. MCCLEARY, City Clerk.

CITY OF BOSTON.

IN BOARD OF ALDERMEN, Aug. 28, 1871.

The Committee on Health beg leave to represent, that, in view of the increasing importance of the services required in the Quarantine Department, and the difficulties attending their performance with the present facilities, they would recommend the construction of a small steamboat for the use of that department of the public health.

For boarding vessels and conveying the sick to the hospital at Gallop's Island, the Port Physician has at the present time only an open boat. It is evident that such limited means for the performance of the difficult and delicate duties connected with the proper enforcement of the quarantine regulations, for a city occupying the second commercial position in this country, are wholly insufficient. The delay to which the merchant and passenger service are subjected for the want of a suitable boat has caused much dissatisfaction among the ship-owners.

The number of vessels visited by the Port Physician at quarantine last year, between the first of June and the first of November, was 530. During the month of June this year the number visited was 135; and for the month of July 143. Under an order, passed by the Board of Health in April last, the Port Physician is required to visit all vessels which arrive between the first of November and the first of April, with sickness on board. To perform this service in an open boat would not only be uncomfortable and dangerous to the physician and the boatmen, but would necessitate the fatal