The Sanitary Crisis of 1885

To the Honorable City Council of the City of Seattle: Having made an inspection of the sanitary condition of this city, I have to report the following recommendations relative thereto: In the First Ward, I find that on the north corner of Commercial and Washington streets, under the E. A. Strout building, the buildings adjacent to the east on Washington street have an open drain into which drain and seep the contents of a half dozen water closets. I earnestly recommend that this drain be at once filled with earth or sawdust, and that the owners or occupants of said premises be required to remove the present water closets, cover up the contents, and replace these closets in such manner as can be readily cleaned. I find that behind the San Francisco Store, the Pantheon and Yieo Chop House, the drain does not extend to high water mark, and recommend that the owners or occupants of said premises be required to extend these drains to low water mark. I find on Fourth Street, between Mill and Washington, an open cesspool filled with filth and rubbish, and into which drain the waste water and excretions from at least a dozen crowded Chinese lodging and wash houses. I recommend that it be promptly filled with sawdust, and that the owners be required to connect the said premises with the Washington street sewer. I also recommend that all the restaurants, tenements, wash houses, and stables on Washington street be at once connected by pipes with said sewer. Finally, I earnestly recommend the immediate erection of a pest house. J. M. W. Hedges, M.D., Health Officer. Dated Seattle, W. T., Aug. 21, 1885.