results which must inevitably come from its present condition.

The places mentioned, although the worst, are not all to which we invite attention. The city proper, being nearly surrounded by tide water and flats, is to the same extent literally fringed with the open mouths of sewers, discharging their gases into the atmosphere, and their other contents upon the shoals, which are left bare next the sea-wall and under the wharves by the receding tide.

The result is, that at low tide, and especially in summer, about the wharves and skirts of the city, where thousands of the laboring class must work during the day, and many more will resort for a cool breeze in the evening, the air, instead of being pure and cool from the water, as it should be, is polluted and made dangerous by the foul breath of the

sewers.

That our prevalent summer diseases are largely influenced by this poisoned atmosphere there can be no sort of doubt. The best remedy for the evil complained of may not be so apparent as the evil itself. We beg to suggest, however, that whatever disposition is ultimately made of the sewage, whether carried inland and utilized, or seaward and lost, it should not be discharged at all points in the circumference of our city. If it is to be discharged into the sea and this for Boston seems the most practicable there should be the least possible number of outlets, and those well out into the channel of the harbor. We believe the time has come when large main sewers, which can be relied on for the next century to collect and convey the sewage of all others to a proper place for disposal, or to the sea, should be laid. We believe that the very best interests of the city, public economy, and the public health would be well served by beginning this work with the least necessary delay.

The discharge of sewage into the Charles river and the South bay is a constantly growing evil, which already annoys

and discomforts many, and if permitted to go on must soon exert a very serious influence upon the health of the entire city. This danger can be averted by carrying the sewage of the city proper, of East Boston and Charlestown District, by one large main from each, fully into the channel of the harbor, where, in deep water and strong currents, the material will be so dissipated and acted upon by the salt water as to become harmless and unobjectionable to the senses before it can be lodged about the city by flood tide. That of South Boston and of the Highland and Dorchester districts should be carried well into deep water in Dorchester bay.

To carry out these suggestions would require surveying and advice of competent engineers, who would carefully consider and report not only the best course and plan for these mains, but what they would need to be, without alteration, for the next fifty or one hundred years.

There are many places within the limits of the city, especially in the newly annexed territory, where, although a supply of water has been furnished, there are no means of getting rid of it after it has done its service, and the result is a perfect saturation of the soil about the dwellings by the vast overflow of cesspools and vaults. Typhoid fever and other preventable diseases are frequent in these places, and we fear must continue to be until proper sewage is instituted.

While it is to be regretted that water-pipes have anywhere preceded the laying of sewers, it is but fair to say that the supply of pure water from the pipes, in some of the sections referred to, had become a necessity, and the people would have suffered, but in a little different way, without it.

In many instances the well-water gets vitiated in quality, or deficient in quantity, and the supply from the pipes becomes a great blessing.

We would respectfully recommend all possible hastening

of the sewers, and a halting of the water-pipes in those sections where the two are not now associated.

THE BOARD OF HEALTH,

By A. W. BOARDMAN,

Chairman.

The wishes of the Board in the latter communication have been largely met by the appointment of a commission of scientific gentlemen, who have the full confidence of the public, to examine into our present system of sewers, and devise, if need be, some better and more comprehensive plan.

A paper upon the general subject of sewerage, accompanying this report, has been prepared by Dr. William L. Richardson, one of our medical inspectors.

VENTILATION OF SCHOOL-HOUSES.

Under the impression that many of our school-houses, from defective construction or overcrowding, were not sufficiently or properly ventilated, Dr. F. W. Draper, one of our medical inspectors, was directed to make an examination of several, selected in different parts of the city. His report is hereto annexed.

STREET WATERING.

We would again allude to this subject as one which demands more attention than it has yet received. The necessity of the adoption of some more thorough and systematic method of watering the streets of the city has been frequently brought to our notice by the numerous complaints which have been made at this office. There can be no doubt whatever but that this subject is one which concerns the health as well as the comfort of our citizens. That the inhalation of such clouds of dust, as are often seen in our

broad thoroughfares, must exert a prejudicial effect on the passers-by cannot be denied.

We feel that the remedy for this evil should not be left, as at present, entirely to the voluntary contributions of such as choose to pay rather than suffer a great personal inconvenience, but that the city itself should in some way undertake the task of seeing that the streets are kept properly watered. Every citizen, rich and poor alike, has an interest in this question, and we sincerely hope that before another spring the City Council will give the matter its serious consideration.

Not only is this a matter of personal health and comfort, but it involves in many cases quite a serious damage to the interior of those dwelling-houses and stores which are situated on the broader thoroughfares.

The loss to the city occasioned by the dust which is being constantly blown away, and for the replacement of which a very considerable outlay in gravel is every year required, is very great. At present the watering of our streets is not attempted at all during March and April, two of the very worst months of the year, and is discontinued altogether too early in the fall.

SLAUGHTERING ESTABLISHMENTS.

Much complaint was made, during the spring and summer of last year, of slaughter-houses in Brighton. The Board made repeated visits to these places, and found several in such condition as to justify interference, and five establishments were therefore closed by our order. Others were not wholly in a satisfactory condition, but action was deferred for the time.

SPECTACLE ISLAND.

We have reason to believe that the business conducted on this island, to which all the dead animals of the city are

taken, has been conducted much better than formerly. We have made frequent visits to the establishment of the Messrs. Ward during the year, and satisfied ourselves that they were in good faith trying to put their work in such condition that no complaint should reach us. We were obliged to report so fully upon this subject last year that it gives us pleasure now to report as above, and we trust that by the careful management of these gentlemen the coming summer, no complaint will be made, or if so, no just cause for it found.

INSPECTOR OF PROVISIONS.

This officer, by order of the Board of Aldermen, now acts under the direction of the Board of Health.

During an official experience of two years we have known several parties to slip through the meshes of the law upon this subject, because a prosecution would inevitably result in the discharge of the party prosecuted. It was thought best, therefore, if possible, to have the law amended.

By the law of 1872, ch. 231, inspectors have "power to inspect all meats, fish, vegetables, produce and provisions," etc., brought into a city or town, "or exposed for sale, or kept with intent to sell therein;" also "to inspect all veal brought into a city or town, or offered or exposed for sale," etc. The law still further requires "the name and place of business of every person, whose property shall be condemned under this act," to be published, etc.

West Roxbury and Brighton have been recently annexed to the city, and in each of these places calves are raised; as they were undoubtedly raised in other parts of the city prior to the annexation of these towns. Calves raised in these places can hardly be said to have been "brought into" the city within the strict letter of the law. Still, veal of a calf only two days old would be no more fit for food raised there than if raised elsewhere. We thought it would be better,