USA > Massachusetts > Middlesex County > Somerville > Report of the city of Somerville 1880 > Part 11
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13
As in the two previous years, as soon as we had received a notice from the attending physician of a case of diphtheria, the inspector of the Board was instructed to make a careful examination of the dwelling and its surroundings ; and any other facts having a pos- sible bearing on the causation of the disease were also noted by him. His report, which is printed herewith, tells the old story of waste- pipes not trapped, soil-pipes not ventilated, drains broken, cellars damp, vaults and cesspools full and overflowing and in too close proximity to dwellings, water-closets untrapped, etc.
Comparatively few cases have occurred in houses occupied by their owners. The culpable negligence of owners of property who permit the continuance of the disgraceful state of affairs shown by our inspector's report is deserving of the censure of all well- meaning citizens. The expenditure of a few dollars would, in many instances, suffice to put their houses in a satisfactory condition ; and if then disease visited the occupants, the owners would not be responsible. It may be that many do not believe that there can be any possible connection between a broken drain-pipe in the cellar, or an untrapped water-closet, and the occurrence of a case of diph- theria ; whether that is the reason or not, we find it necessary in many cases to order the house vacated as unfit for habitation, before any at- tention is paid to our notices of sanitary defects. Generally, the con- dition of the liouse is not known by us until after the occurrence of a case of this disease, and sometimes it happens that other cases are re- ported in the family before our orders are complied with. We have found in so many instances, when examining houses in which cases of this disease have occurred, the conditions favorable to the entrance of sewer gas, that the question naturally arises, how many other dwell- ings in this city are in the same condition? We cannot help feel- ing that during the coming year there will be about the same number
212
of cases of diphtheria reported that there were during the past year. If the owners were to live in these houses we should not expect this result, for whether they believed in the sewer-gas theory or not, they would give themselves the benefit of the doubt. It is a sad reflection that so many removable causes of sickness will be allowed to remain in our midst through the negligence of many who are not themselves exposed to them.
Let us hope that our fears in this respect may not be realized, but that every house owner will see that there shall be no possibility of the entrance of sewer gas into his house. The expenditure of a little more money inside the house and less outside would result in much less sickness in the community. Fine exteriors captivate the eye, but it should be remembered that we live inside.
During the year we have fumigated every house in which a fatal case occurred, and where the cases did not prove fatal we have done iso when requested by the family.
TYPHOID FEVER - More cases of this disease were reported dur- ng the year than in any like period since the organization of the Board. In the last ten months of 1878, there were 18 cases reported, and in 1879 there were but 15, while during the past year there were 39 cases.
We are not surprised at this increase. In our last report, when writing on this subject, we said : " When we consider that we have in our midst many of the predisposing causes of this disease, in imperfect drainage, filthy privies, nauseous cesspools, and large tracts of inhabited territory in which there are no sewers, the wonder is that we have had so few cases."
In making efforts to prevent the spread of this disease, we need neither accept nor reject the "germ" theory of its causation. It may be, as the advocates of this theory claim, that air made foul by exhalations from privies, stagnant pools, overflowing cesspools, etc., acts only as a predisposing cause. There are many difficulties attending the solution of this question. In tracing out the history of some of the cases which occurred during the year, we could find no evidence of exposure to typhoid fever.
We believe there is great danger to any person who exposes himself to the exhalations of a privy containing the fecal discharges
213
of a typhoid-fever patient. There can be no doubt that the " germ" of the disease passes off in the discharge from the bowels ; hence the necessity of disinfecting them before they are thrown into privy or water-closet.
As soon as the disease is recognized by the attending physician he should report it to this Board, that we may supply the family with the proper materials for disinfecting.
We recommend the following solution for disinfecting the fecal dejections : -
Sulphate of iron (copperas), four pounds ; carbolic acid, four ounces ; water, two and one half gallons. Half a pint of this should be used each time the bowels are moved.
Clothing soiled by the fever patient should be disinfected by soak- ing in a solution of one part carbolic acid to forty parts water, and afterwards boiled.
By the two following tables is shown, first, the number of cases of scarlet fever, diphtheria, and typhoid fever reported in 1880, with the number of these cases that have up to this date proved fatal, and the percentage of deaths ; second, the number of deaths from scarlet fever, diphtheria, and typhoid fever in 1877, 1878, 1879, and 1880.
214
SCARLET FEVER, DIPHTHERIA, AND TYPHOID FEVER REPORTED IN 1880.
SCARLET FEVER.
DIPHTHERIA.
TYPHOID FEVER.
MONTHS.
Cases
reported.
Proved
fatal.
Percentage
of deaths.
Cases
reported.
Proved
fatal.
Percentage
of deaths.
reported.
Proved
fatal.
Percentage
of deaths.
January
12
3
23
27
7
26
1
February
5
5
1
March
4
1
25
9
Apri
1
9
1
11
1
May
4
1
2
June.
2
2
1
July
6
1
1
August
3
1
33
1
3
1
September
4
1
25
4
9
October.
5
9
2
22
9
2
November
1
12
3
25
6
1
December
1
25
6
28
4
1
Total
43
6
11
108
19
18
39
7
18
DEATHS FROM SCARLET FEVER, DIPHTHERIA, AND TYPHOID FEVER IN 1877, 1878, 1879, AND 1880.
SCARLET FEVER.
DIPHTHERIA.
TYPHOID FEVER.
MONTHS.
1877.
1878.
1879.
1880.
1877.
1878.
1879.
1880.
|1877.
1878. 1879. 1880.
January
4
4
2
4
6
7
2
February
1
1
4
4
4
March
1
1
1
9
5
April
1
2
7
1
1
1
May
8
1
June
1
6
1
1
1
July
1
2
1
2
1
1
August
2
3
1
4
2
1
September
2
4
1
2
1
1
October.
3
4
2
5
2
1
1
2
November
1
4
3
5
1
2
1
1
1
December
1
7
2
8
5
4
8
2
1
1
Total
10
15
16
6
59
27
29
19
6
5
3
7
-
Cases
214 A
.No. of Family
Nationality.
Occupation of Head of Family.
No. of
Patient
Sex of Patient.
Age of
l'atient.
Date of Sickness.
Result.
Soil.
Locality.
House Drainage.
Ction of Cellar.
Privy.
Remarks.
1 American.
Architect
1
Female
8
January
Clayey Gravel. . Clay
Good Low
Connectiou of w. and d. p. defective; w. p. not trapped ..
Irish.
Hostler
Male
2
44
Fatal ..
... Americau.
Grocer
4
Male .
4
=
3
55
=
Clay Sand
Low Good.
Upon adjoining lot; waste pipe not trapped. Defect in drain near water-closet
Dry
Near liouse; offensive. . Water-closet in cellar.
=
Laborer
10
Salesman
11
Teamster.
12
Male
17
13
8
Sand.
Drain pipe in cellar defective. Waste pipe not trapped.
Damp Dry
5 feet from house; vault full. Water-closet in cellar.
Third time he has had diphtheria. Stable with 20 horses within 40 ft. of house.
Adjoining house.
12 13 14
=
Stable-keeper
1
8
Clayey Gravel ..
Fair
2
17
Male
5
=
1
-
1%
Clayey Gravel ..
Fair Good
Waste pipe not trapped
.4
Mechanic
Female
12
Minister Laborer
23
4
Sand.
Low
Waste pipe not trapped Defective connection of w. and d. p .; w. p. not trapped
25
40
Merchant
March. January. February. January,
=
Fair Low
Into cesspool 10 feet from house; waste pipe not trapped. Defect in drain pipe in cellar; waste pipe not trapped. Defective connection of w. and d. pipes ; w. p. not trapped. Drain pipe and waste pipe not trapped. Drain pipe not trapped
Defect in drain pipe in cellar; waste pipe not trapped Waste pipe not trapped
Dry
Mechanic
Male
4
Sand.
March
Clayey Gravel. Sand.
9
21
2 Clayey Gravel. Gravel
Sand
Low
Connection of w. and d. p. defective; w. p. not trapped. Waste pipe not trapped; drain clogged
Waste pipe not trapped
Dry
Adjoining house; offensive.
Irisb.
Male 16
April
Fatal ..
7
Female.
6
Clayey Gravel.
Good
Waste pipe not trapped; drain pipe not trapped Defective; waste pipe not trapped Waste pipe not trapped; cesspool offensive. Soil pipe not ventilated.
Stagnamer in cellar. Damp.
4 feet from house. Vault full ..
Yard filthy. Draining iuto cesspool 4 feet from honsur
Irish Americau.
Laborer Clerk
Male =
23
Clayey Gravel ..
Good
Soil pipe not ventilated.
Fair
Good
Waste pipe not trapped. Soil pipe not ventilated. Waste pipe not trapped.
Dry
12 feet from house.
52
Female
13 6
May. July
53 51
...
10
Male . . .. .
30
Good
Iuto cesspool 5 feet from house; d. p. and w. p. not trapped. Conucction of w. and d. p. defective; w. p. not trapped ..
Basemerouis .. Damp Drainag wing into cellar. . €4
Near house. Iu yard 20 feet fromu liouse. In yard 20 feet from house; vault full. Water-closet in bath room up-stairs.
Stable and stable premises filthy.
ti
Englishı American
Laborer
7 8
Physician
9
7
39
44
42
Clayey Gravel ..
Low Good
Water-closet and waste pipes not trapped. . Waste pipe not trapped.
8 0
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22
(Widow)
Laborer
1
Machinist
Male.
Real Estate
3
5
Mechanic.
Female
9
Clerk
37
7
Irish American
Baker. Clerk
4 5
Manufacturer
Damp.
Dry
Privy in yard 10 feet from house.
Female ...
8
Salesman
3
2
7
Good
Defect in drain pipe in cellar; waste pipe not trapped Defect in drain pipe under floor in basement ....
Basemevms.
10 feet from house; vault full. Water-closet in basement.
Irish American
Stone Mason
5
44
8
=
Good
Low and damp
Not any; slops thrown on surface.
Not any
Filthy.
2 cases diphtheria in store where he worked.
Expressmau.
Manufacturer Cabinet-maker
26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 41 45 46 47
23
Clayey Gravel. . Good
Waste pipe not trapped.
French Irish. American
2.1
26 28 99 30 31 32 33 31 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 41 45
Stagnanier.
Dry
Water-closet in bath room without wat
February 16
7
46
4.
Good
Soil pipe not ventilated.
3
64
64
Irish ..
American.
Shoe Manufacturer ..
94
Male Female. ... Male Female ....
4
Fatal ..
Good
Clay
Low
Into cesspool 15 feet from house; soil pipe not ventilated .. Insufficient supply of water in water-closet No drainage facilities.
14
Female . . .
13
March. January
15 16
=
Merchant
5 feet from house; filthy.
4 feet from house; offensive. In shed adjoining house; offensive.
Drainageving into cellar ...
Water-closet in bath-roour without water.
[ Draining into cesspool 4 feet from ho 1 thence to sewer without trap. Vault connected with sewer without tr:
American.
Laborer Fur Business. Furniture
Damp in b. r. and one iu cellar.
Provisious
Jeweller
24
3
Clay . .
25
Damp
Water-closet in cellar.
6
Female ...
-1
47
10 11
Cigar Manufacturer.
Meat Pedler.
Laborer
18 19 20 21
20
10 39 7 3 S
44
64 8
3
Basemenms
Adjoining house. Vault connected with drain without trap Water-closet in bath room. Two privies, 5 feet from house; offensive. 5 feet from house; offensive. Water-closet in batlı room.
Carpenter
...
48 49 50 51
DIPHTHERIA IN 1880. - INSPECTOR'S REPORT.
District.
Clayey Gravel. Sand ... Clayey Gravel. .
Clerk
Salesman
Female. .
4 4
In. . . . !!
6
F
4 2 2
5
7
7 4
9 2 2 3 3
2 5
1
214 B
No. of Family.
Nationality.
Occupation of Head of Family.
Sex of Patient.
Age of
Patient.
Date of Sickness.
Result.
Soil.
Locality.
House Drainage.
Condition of Cellar.
Privy.
Remarks.
Merchant
Female
32
July.
Claycy Gravel. .
Good
Soil pipe not ventilated.
Two water-closets in house.
Dentist. . .
Harness-maker
58
6
5
Sand
Defect in drain pipe in cellar; waste pipe not trapped
Dry
Water-closet in cellar. .
Taken sick the day she came to the house. Stable within 6 feet of house and offensive.
Nova Scotia .. American . . .
Laborer ...
59
=
36
2
Clayey Gravel . .
Merchant .
60
Carpenter
61
17
10
Fair
Defective; waste pipe not trapped Sewage flowing into cellar; waste pipe not trapped.
Damp =
Privy 8 feet from house: offensive. Earth closet up-stairs offensive. Privy 15 feet from house.
52 53 54
Irish American 44
Merchant
Female
11
5
Good
Defect in drain pipe in cellar; waste pipe not trapped Soil pipe not ventilated.
Salesman
66
11
=
6
9
=
=
Fair Good
Clay
Wet
Emptying on surface.
No cellar
Teamster.
43
November
Clayey Gravel. .
Low
Flowing under house; waste pipe not trapped. Defects in d. p. in cellar and basement; w. c. defective. Dry
American
Com. Merchant ..
14
-1
CT
December ..
Fatal.
75
10ª
76
77 78
November ..
7 7
Waste pipes not trapped. Drainage not ventilated
Slightly damp Dry
Water-closet in hath room. " cellar.
Visited child sick with diphtheria.
65 66
Irish
Railroad Agent.
33
=
4
64
Fatal. .
1
Fair
Soil pipe not ventilated Emptying on surface
Damp Dry
In yard 20 feet from house. 10 vault full.
j Cow stable and mannre heap within 10 feet of house and offensive.
TO 71
Irish
Grocer.
Male
=
Fatal ..
90
Female Male
13
Female.
3
Fatal.
74
Irish ..
Laborer
2.
2
Clayey Gravel . .
Connection of w. and d. p. defective; w. p. not trapped. .
Damp
6 feet from house; vault full.
Offal thrown into yard.
75
German English
Upholsterer China Decorator.
97
4
Fatal ..
Low
Soil pipe not ventilated. Into cesspool 10 feet from house; waste pipe not trapped ..
Dry . Damp
Water-closet in bath room. 12 feet from house; vault full.
98
6
Male
1
=
Fatal.
Waste pipe not trapped.
Dry
Water-closet in cellar.
78
Slater. ....
Teamster ..
103
.:
21
G
81
=
Carpenter.
104
47
Male
7
106
Feniale. .
23
Male
38
Low
Into cesspool; waste pipes not trapped. Drain pipe clogged ; waste pipes not trapped. Blind drain from cellar connecting with sewer not trapped. Drainage not ventilated
Stagnant water in cellar.
Damp.
30 feet from house. Water-closet iu cellar. 10 feet from house; vault full 6 4 Water-closet in cellar.
Wooden box drains.
84 85
Irish
Barrel Business
107
Laborer
108
Female .. 10
5
Waste pipe not trapped ..
Dry
Privy 15 feet from honse; vault full Water-closet in bath room.
1 § Cow stable adjoining house and draining on surface.
58 50 60 61
63 64
Nova Scotia. .
Male Female
30 13
December. November. .
1
.
Fair.
Defects in drain pipe in cellar.
=
" bath room
Pool of stagnant water within 12 ft. of honse.
67
American
Salesman
Male
Scotch
Printer
Irisb
Laborer
Female
9
=
9
1 1
Clayey Gravel. Clay ..
Drain pipe defective; waste pipe not trapped Cesspool under house; waste pipe not trapped Waste pipe not trapped.
Damp Dry
30 feet from house ; filthy. 10
American
Salesman.
Milk Business
7
Adjoining house ..
Stable adjoining honse.
92 93 94 95 96
German. Irish American ..
100 101 102
Female =
23
7
Fatal.
5
Good
Clayey Gravel. .
Damp. Good Low.
Drain pipe in cellar defective.
Stagnant water in cellar
Damp. ..
adjoining kitchen in bath-room.
Waste water of sink supplies water-closet.
80
Engraver.
82 83
Printer.
105
Manufacturer
Good
3 2 1 Sand .... Clayey Gravel. Clay .. Clayey Gravel. . Fair
.
Good
Clay Sand
Low
Damp
Basement rooms.
=
1 5
December ..
Clayey Gravel .. Sand.
Good
Low
9
Sand.
Good
10 3 Clayey Gravel. . Sand
Fair Low
Basement rooms
connection of s. p. and d.p defective Dry
=
August. September
26
7
19
Male
Laborer
5
October
Fatal.
Clay . Clayey Gravel. . Sand ...
Clayey Gravel. . 66
Waste pipe not trapped.
Mechanic.
67
Chemist
68
92
69
6
46
1
Fatal ..
1
1
§ Drainage from house into vanlt, thence into cesspool.
Irish
70 71
Female
7
6
72 73 74
Travelling Salesman. Produce
Canadian
Laborer .
Low and damp
Satisfactory . .
6
1
Fatal.
Nova Scotia
( Widow).
79 80 81 82 83 84
7
10
Book-keeper.
Male
= Female Male
$4
Low
Drain pipe between vault and house not trapped Waste pipe not trapped ..
1
Good
Connection of w. and d. p. defective; w. p not trapped. Soil pipe not ventilated ...
Privy 10 feet from house. Water-closet in bath room.
Com. Merchant. Laborer
Basement rooms Damp Privy 12 feet from house; vault full. adjoining house. 15 feet from house; vault full. Water-closet in bath room.
46 47 48 49 50 51
Americau ..
No. of
Patient.
56 57
18
Cesspool 5 feet from house and overflowing.
62 63 64 65
35 40 8 41
85 86 87 88 89
91
4ª
Fatal.
4
99
7
44
District.
DIPHTHERIA IN 1880. - INSPECTOR'S REPORT (Continued).
215
SMALL-Pox. - While several of the cities in this State have been visited by this disease, we have fortunately been free from it. Weekly reports come to us of its prevalence in many sections of the country, and we should be on our guard lest the disease should obtain a foothold here.
We would again "urge upon you the importance of making provision at once for the vaccination of all persons in the city who are not already protected by this means."
In November, the city physician was directed by the Board to procure some vaccine virus, and be prepared to vaccinate such school children and others as might come to him for that purpose. The teachers were notified of his readiness to do this work ; but, probably owing to the fact that very few children who have not been vaccinated attend our schools, only a small number of the pupils presented themselves.
MEASLES. - In 1878 and 1879, a few cases of this disease were known to be in the city. During the past year, the first knowl- edge we had of its presence was in the month of February, and at that time we knew of only a few cases. It spread slowly during the months of March and April, and by the first of June we were aware of its existence in many sections of the city. During the month of June it spread more rapidly, but in July and August its progress was much slower. Since that time, its increase has been quite marked, until at this writing there is hardly a section of the city that has not had some cases. The epidemic has fortunately thus far been a mild one, no fatal case having been reported to this office.
The disease is very contagious, and those persons who are anxious to keep it out of their families should be very careful that they do not expose themselves or their children to it.
DEATHS.
We have approved certificates of 428 deaths and 37 still-births, as shown in the accompanying mortality table.
We also present a table of mortality in eleven Massachusetts cities (including Somerville), in 1880.
216
MORTALITY IN SOMERVILLE IN 1880.
January.
February.
March.
April.
May.
June.
July.
August.
September.
October.
November.
December.
Total.
Zymotic Diseases.
MIASMATIC.
Scarlet Fever
1
1
6
Diphtheria.
1
2
1
8
19
Croup .
2
2
2
1
2
9
Typhoid Fever.
1
1
1
2
1
1
7
Erysipelas.
1
1
1
1
1
5
Diarrhea.
1
1
4
2
2
12
Cholera Infantum.
3
18
14
4
1
40
Cholera Morbus ..
1
1
2
Cerebro Spinal Meningitis
1
1
2
Puerperal Peritonitis.
1
1
2
Puerperal Convulsions.
1
1
Septicemia.
1
1
2
Rheumatism
1
1
2
Gastric Fever ..
1
1
Typho-Bilious Fever ..
1
1
ENTHETIC.
1
1
Constitutional Diseases.
DIATHETIC.
Pernicious Anæmia.
1
1
1
Cancer.
1
1
1
1
1
5
Cancer of Breast.
1
1
Cancer of Womb ..
1
1
Cancer of Stomach.
1
1
Mortification ..
1
TUBERCULAR.
7
6
6
5
5
4
3
6
5
7
7
7
68
Tubercular Meningitis
2
2
1
1
1
3
Marasmus
1
1
1
1
1
2
2
.
9
Local Diseases.
NERVOUS SYSTEM.
3
1
2
9
Paralysis
1
2
1
2
1
4
Inflammation of Brain.
1
Brain Diseases.
1
1
1
2
1
2
8
Cerebral Meningitis.
1
2
1
2
6
Spinal Meningitis.
1
Meningitis.
1
1
1
1
4
Convulsions.
1
2
2
1
1
7
ORGANS OF CIRCULATION.
1
Heart Diseases.
3
.
4
3
1
2
2
. . . .
1
2
1
19
RESPIRATORY ORGANS.
3
5
4
10
2
3
1
1
1
3
3
6
42
Bronchitis.
1
3
1
4
1
1
...
Pleurisy
1
....
Imperfect Respiration.
....
. .
1
. ...
.
..
1
Lung Diseases.
...
1
.
. .
.
1
3
7
Insanity
1
1
1
6
Hydrocephalus
.
..
.
Syphilis
Dropsy.
1
2
. .
1
Phthisis Pulmonalis ..
Apoplexy.
2
1
Cerebral Embolism
Pneumonia
11
1
1
1
Dysentery
1
1
2
2
...
..
. . .
1
2
217
MORTALITY IN SOMERVILLE IN 1880. - Continued.
January.
February.
March.
April.
May.
June.
July.
August.
September.
October.
November.
December.
Total.
DIGESTIVE ORGANS.
Gastro-Enteritis
1
1
Gastritis
1
1
1
1
2
Peritonitis
1
1
1
1
4 3
Hepatitis
1
1
1
Jaundice ..
1
1
2
Liver Diseases.
1
2
1
5
Colic
1
1
Stomatitis
1
1
Inanition
1
3
.. .
Ascitis
URINARY ORGANS.
1
1
Bright's Disease
1
1
2
1
1
1
7
Diabetes.
1
2
3
Disease of Kidneys
1
1
1
3
Disease of Bladder
1
1
GENERATIVE ORGANS. Ovarian Disease .
1
1
Developmental Diseases.
OF CHILDREN.
Premature Birth and Infantile Debility
1
1
1
2
4
2
11
Cyanosis ..
OF OLD PEOPLE.
Old Age.
1
2
3
3
1
1
1
1
1
14
DISEASES OF NUTRITION.
2
1
3
Exhaustion ...
1
1
Violent Deaths.
Murder
1
1
Railroad.
1
1
1
1
4
Drowning
1
1
Burns and Scalds.
2
1
3
Fell down Stairs ..
1
1
Accident not specified
1
1
SUICIDE
1
1
2
UNKNOWN
1
2
1
4
Total.
42
23
33
45
27
26
50
40
34
37
27
44
1428
Still-born
2
7
2
3
2
1
2
4
4
3
3
4
37
Population as per census of 1880
4,985 Death rate per thousand
17.1
.
.
.
1
..
...
...
1
5
1
1
2
Nephritis
1
1
General Debility.
2
Enteritis
218
MORTALITY IN ELEVEN MASSACHUSETTS CITIES IN 1880.
Population.
Deaths.
Rate per Thousand.
Cambridge
52,860
1,006
19.0
Chelsea
21,780
476
21.9
Fall River
48,626
1,354
27.8
Gloucester
20,000
420
21.0
Haverhill
18,468
350
19.0
Lawrence
39,300
875
22.3
Lowell.
59,485
1,308
22.0
Lynn
38,376
778
20.3
Salem
28,186
632
22.4
Springfield
33,500
669
20.0
Somerville
24,985
428
17.1
REGULATIONS.
HOUSE DRAINAGE. - In the large number of houses examined by this Board during the past three years, the cause of a majority of the sanitary defects has been poor workmanship and defective systems of house drainage.
With the benefit of this experience, and after consulting with several other boards of health in this vicinity, and the medical officer of the State Board of Health, we have adopted and pub- lished the following regulations, copies of which have been printed for distribution : -
REGULATIONS FOR THE CONSTRUCTION OF HOUSE DRAINAGE.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE, Dec. 9, 1880.
By virtue of the authority given to boards of health, by Chap. 133 of the Acts of the General Court for the year 1877, the Board of
219
Health of the City of Somerville hereby makes the following reg- ulations for the construction of house drainage : -
SECTION 1. Materials. - That portion of the house drain which is outside of the building, and more than four feet from the founda- tion walls, shall be constructed of iron pipe or the best quality of drain-pipe.
That portion of the house drain inside or under the building, and also that portion outside the building and within four feet of the foundation walls, together with the soil-pipe, shall be constructed of iron pipe with leaded joints.
The waste-pipes connecting with the conductors from the roofs, and all other pipes inside the building or outside and within four feet of the foundation walls, shall be constructed of lead or iron with leaded joints.
SECT. 2. Grades. - The house drain and other pipes for the conveyance of sewage shall be laid with a uniform grade, and a fall of not less than one inch in four feet, except in cases where the city engineer may permit otherwise.
SECT. 3. Traps. - The house drain shall be provided with a trap which shall be located outside of all house connections.
Every pipe connecting a water-closet with a soil pipe shall be trapped close to the connection with the water-closet.
All waste-pipes shall be trapped, each separately, and close to the connection with the bath, sink, bowl, or other fixture.
SECT. 4. Ventilation. - All soil-pipes shall be carried at their full size through the roof, and left open. A provision shall also be made for admitting air to the house drain on the house side of the main trap.
SECT. 5. Workmanship. - The joints in the drain pipe shall be carefully cemented under and around the pipe, and the joints in the iron pipe shall be run and calked with lead.
All changes in direction shall be made with curved pipes, and all connections shall be made with Y branch pipes.
All joints and pipes shall be made air-tight.
The whole work to be executed by skilful mechanics, in a thorough and workmanlike manner, and satisfactory to the Board of Health.
220
SECT. 6. Plans. - Before proceeding to construct any portion of the drainage system of a hotel, tenement, or dwelling-house, the owner, builder, or person constructing the same shall file with the city engineer a plan thereof, showing the whole drainage system, from its connection with the common sewer to its terminus in the house, together with the location of all branches, traps, ventilating pipes, and fixtures.
SECT. 7. These regulations shall apply to all hotels, tenements, dwelling-houses, and other buildings hereafter erected in the city of Somerville.
STABLES. - Complaints are received every year of offensive stables and manure heaps, and they have heretofore been dealt with entirely under the general health laws.
For the purpose of informing stable keepers what is required of them, and of reducing the number of these complaints, we have adopted and published the following regulations ; copies have also been printed for distribution.
REGULATIONS CONCERNING STABLES AND THE REMOVAL OF MANURE.
CITY OF SOMERVILLE.
IN BOARD OF HEALTH OF THE CITY OF SOMERVILLE, Dec. 9, 1880.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.