account of the absence of proper outlets for sewage, steps are taken for the purpose of connecting with the City's intercepting sewer. Some of these branch sewers are still in the process of construction and others are projected and when completed will materially lessen the amount of pollution that now finds its way into the Schuylkill river.

The Division of Milk Inspection made 32,577 inspections which comprehended 404,970 quarts of milk. There were 12,947 quarts of milk condemned for adulteration with water, 2,414 quarts for being skimmed and 49 quarts for the addition of coloring matter. The work of this division not only includes the inspection of milk but also the periodical examination of stables where cattle are lodged.

The Medical Inspector reports the following cases of infectious diseases: Diphtheria, 3,191; Membraneous croup, 404; Scarlet fever, 1,052; Typhoid fever, 2,490. All contagious diseases when reported by telophone, telegraph or in writing are promptly referred to the Assistant Inspectors and reports are made for such action as deemed best. Disinfection was performed in 5,407 cases. On account of the great increase in the use of the disinfecting plant at the Municipal Hospital, by far in excess of other years, the work of disinfecting the material taken from private houses has at times been considerably delayed. There is no want of capacity in the disinfecting apparatus, but in the insufficient number of horses and wagons to drive into the different parts of the City and clean up the work of each day. An increase in appropriation for this apparatus will be of great service to the City.

The Bacteriological Division has been under the charge of Dr. B. Meade Bolton. He resigned his position in September. It is hoped that we will be able to secure an able head for this Bureau who will command the confidence of the medical profession. The preparation and the supervision of anti-toxin has been continued throughout the year.

The work of this Bureau has been most beneficial to this community and cannot help but grow broader in its scope and usefulness.

The Legislature passed an act providing for the compulsory vaccination of school children. This law has been very unpopular, but the efforts made to maintain and enforce it have no doubt largely contributed toward preventing small-pox in the City.

The inspection of public schools has been conducted by the Medical Inspector and his assistants. Defects of construction and drainage have been reported from time to time and recommendations been sent to the Board of Public Education. All school buildings should be put in good sanitary condition. It is believed the Board of Health is doing what it can in the matter but is only hindered by the lack of appropriation.

The protection of the children, permit me to suggest, requires co-operation between the Board of Public Education and the Bureau of Fire Escapes. The latter has reported at different times to the Board of Public Education, school buildings requiring fire-escapes. But in some cases fire-escapes have not been erected.

The chemical laboratory has far exceeded its work of former years, not only in scope, but in the subjects to which it has given its attention. It has analyzed from time to time the City's water supply. After analysis, a number of pumps-wells have been condemned, filled up and abandoned. It is hoped that during the coming year the Bacteriological Division and chemical laboratory will be working with greater value to the City. In analyzing frequently the water supply of the same the force of the chemical laboratory should be increased.

The Bacteriological laboratory has continued to work throughout the year on the lines laid down upon its organization. No less than 5,981, microscopic examinations of

suspected exudate have been made and reported upon and a record kept thereof.

It is a matter of great concern that the admissions to the Municipal Hospital for 1896 were greater than during the year 1895. This in spite of the fact that no small-pox existed in the City during that period. Diphtheria and Scarlet fever form the bulk of diseases treated at the hospital. The accommodations at present are in every sense inadequate. Ample apporpriation should be made to thoroughly equip the hospital, which is necessary to the proper care of the poor.

Electrical Bureau.

Each

This is a Bureau which in its work never sleeps. hour of the twenty-four and each day of the year find it in active operation. Its scope and object is to bring into perfect communication all the different parts of the City with the Bureaus of Police and Fire upon the shortest possible notice, thus aiding in the extinguishment of conflagrations and the prevention of disorder. It likewise has a general supervision of the electric lighting of the City, and all plans of electrical work, whether telegraph, telephone, electric light or trolley system are submitted to it for approval.

The operations of this Bureau establish conclusively that there is no part of electrical work now done but what might be not only successfully but better done by an underground system. The present underground system for Police and Fire service completely covers the centre of the City. There are 885 fire alarm boxes which of course is totally inadequate considering the area of the City and the great diversity of interest involved. These should be materially increased. In the City of New York there are over 2,500 such boxes. The same may be stated in regard to the Police Alarm System. Ample provision should be

made for the speedy construction of underground conduits enabling both the systems to be entirely free from interference by storms, atmospheric conditions, or intentional interference by persons.

From a very careful investigation of the report of the Chief of the Bureau a greater advantage would accrue to the City if a method were devised and adopted by which all underground work of the various telegraph, telephone, electric light and other companies was put under the direction and control of this Bureau. Instead of having as many conduits as there are companies, sometimes two or three occupying the sub-service of a street, involving the unnecessary tearing up of the highway, all should be constructed and maintained under the control of the City in a general conduit, and space leased as it should be required. I believe this would be less expensive to the companies; a source of legimate revenue to the City.

The cost of electric lights is steadily decreasing. The average price per lamp per night for 1895 was 41.15 cents; for 1896, 35.5 cents; for 1897 will be 33.3 cents.

A Committee of three provided by resolution of Councils to inquire into the subject of an electric light plant for the City enables your Honor to appoint one expert, Councils the second, these gentlemen to name a third. The result of this has not been satisfactory, for nothing whatever has been reported by this Committee.

In the matter of the location of electric lights after carefully considering the question, I am of the opinion that it should be solely under the direction of the Department of Public Safety, for it must necessarily take into consideration the various and important interests which justify the erection of electric lights in different sections of the City. The character and density of the population, the width of the streets and the amount of travel must be considered by it without regard to any special locality.

The report of the Chief of the Bureau will well repay a careful perusal and shows the high state of efficiency it has reached. It has international reputation and is sought frequently for advice by cities throughout the entire country. It has done a great deal of work for the Department of Public Works, having had charge of the construction of all the electrical work done along the line of Pennsylvania avenue in conjunction with the building of the subway which is in course of construction.

I desire to call to your attention the absolute necessity of enlarging the quarters of the Electrical Bureau. At the present time the employees are greatly crowded and the work is constantly increasing.

RECOMMENDATIONS.

Permit me to offer for your consideration the following recommendations growing out of a careful study of the objects and scope comprehended by the Department of Public Safety.

1. An increase in the police force of the City, as suggested in the body of my report, and I suggest that at the earliest time possible that the Park Guards be brought under the direction and control of the Department of Public Safety as provided for by law.

2. An increase in the fire force as essential to the proper protection of property in different sections of the City.

3. The construction of mains, as indicated above, on Chestnut, Market, and Arch streets, from the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers to Broad street, with a pumping station on each river.

4. The thorough and complete electric lighting of the City from a police standpoint.

5. The construction of main conduits by the City for use by all companies using electricity in any of its varied forms. 6. For the purpose of the preservation of the health