National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-01-24
NATIONAL HEALTH SOCIETY
RESULTS OF THE CONTENTION OF
HEALTH OFFICERS.

RESULTS OF THE CONTENTION OF
HEALTH OFFICERS.
LAST DAYS SESsION-A TOUR OF VISITS
PRESIDENT GRANT AND GOV. SHEPHERD
CALLED UPON-PLACEs OF PUBLIC ~
TEREsT VISITED-DEPARTCRE VI 1hE
DELEGATES FOR HOME.
The National Council OF Health Eoards con-
iinued its session yesterday at Masonic nan,
meeting at $40 o'clock in the morning, Hon. A.
w. Boardman president, in the chair, and Dr.W.
Enively, secretary.
Dr. Warner, OF Conn.,, moved that q standing
,opmittee of five be appointed to investigate and
,eceive information upon the subject of the best
,nproyed methods of ventiiatng sewers and the
ii.pcsItion of sewerage. Referred to the exeeu-
live committee.
Dr. Cox from the committee appointed to con-
rider the expcdiency Of establishing sanitary
suEeaa, susssit,cd the following report, which
was adopted:
TIC committee appes,ted to report on the expe-
aieGcy ofa
sATIoNkksANIT BrREAu
&,reby express the- tirm convictions Of its great
importance and the desirableness Of its early c.
:a6ii.ment by Congress. More than n6esn
wears IExp Henrr w. RumseS, Of England, p1h-
airhed = rolumesf much force, entitled Essays
Theseope,or this treatise was most e1teoaed,
enibfscing the bearings Of preventive medicine
apon Che sevsssi9aestioIs oil general lsgss,.sssn,
Alun awricul1ure commerce, &c, and to ;nqut4e
Cow faTihyssenicp principals had been, or 1igktibe,
nsasures % national enquiry and reform. Al
this day England has .eganiIed Q eentzal Asaash
department, and has been seriously es1tens,lat-
2ean powers are moving in the same direction
Sanitary science has reached d step Of advance
-0snt AtWhfch o central bureau is demanded tUr
.ion aPpa' every subject connected with the public
health aGd the distribution broadcast of The same
throughout the land for the benefit Of the entire
people. Regarding the NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
taryMnte Of cur country. its extensive geosyraph-
cal area, and varieties of climate. as climate
ssGeI,ic .dsssasss 't its hydpoiosy, the THOUSAND
Agencies and influences threatening its salubrity.
3ar.0overnment should be among the first to pro-
ncte and protect
-THE PUBLIC HEALTH.
ivelabor inpeace and hysical proves in war, and
afsound, healthy growth in mind and morals. In
he -rRsuitous distribution ofpure vaccine matter
establishment of the bureau. As means DINA
snripR method for the prevention OF epidemics,
ts Raloe cannot be overestimated. There is no
reason why the national bureau should not bear
theasaEe relation to thu public in foretefing and
lxerting aepidemics the signal bureau is pre-
aising and wardng OF storms Isi. Among various hd
expand in coming years, and means are alpro-
priated for their proper consideration and de-
bear in any degree upon the public health and
safety the causes of disease and mortality. and
he relative value of the several asccrtafncd
sauses in producing debility and deterioration OF
the race, The comparative influence Of various
trades and occupations upon health and longevity
including the Inaladies and injuries peculiar to
special occupations, and their relative Interior
sheet upon families and posterity: the nature,
quality and variety of ordinary diet, the best
method o. pfepa1Ing and preserving nesnas;
STOOD and the means ofcorrecting these mschiefs;
he comparative advantages Of various kinds Of
autEiment and beverage under different circun-
stances and what conduces most to the bodily
soundncss and efficiency of the laboring classes:
climate and meterology, including the various
phenomena and climatic conditions which in
ruenee the structure and life of man: the history.
nature and cause OF epidemcs. the collection Of
facts and opinions respecting their origin. dtfu-
stances which modify the same, and the best
method of preventing or rendering less aggra-
waited the spread OF these formidable maladies:
the preparation and distribution Of Statistics of
mortality, of reproduction, of sickness, accident
and iEfrEiity; proper register of the temporal
.ure, pressure, attention, elasticity humidity and
szoEe of the atmosphere; the ventilation and pu-
-ihcation of dwellings, public buildings and
.owns; the removal Of nuisances,
THE WATER SUPPLY,
drainage and sewerage; the safety Of nayigators
and emigrants, as well as the proper construc-
Of dwellings, hospitals and public charities. Your
are Of opinion that all these subjects
are properly within the scope and charge Of the
bodied in the form Of q Government bureau Of
health. This bureau is the Legitimate oilshoot of
and in strict correspondence with the efforts of
health boards and sanitary organizations. State
md national now in earnest ond active operation
throughout the length and breadth Of the land |
therefore. that no measure Of vital i'm
pcrtancc could be urged upon Congress at this |
lime. ana encouraged by the very general and |
hearty Endorsement Of leading scientists and san-
srians in all sections Of the country, the commit
zee pisspt for INV Ssideration Of the council tbs
Resolccd, That in the opinion Of this council no
measure could be presented for legislation more |
in its results upon the health and pros
,erity Of the American people than that of q |
properly constituted and regulated national sani-
AIRY bureau.
Kesolsed, That this council do approve Of early
Nent Of a national sanitary bureau, and the CON- |
nittee is hereby instructed to prepare suitable
aw, to be introduced in the present Congress, and
Resolved, That the members present be re- |
luested to communicate with the Senators and |
md urge upon them the Importance Of the pro-
,osed measures, invoking their earnest co-opera-
ion. |
DR.. Verdi thought that his remarks of the day |
'revious had been partially misunderstood. He |
va not opposed to the establishing of sanitary
urcau, but favored it. and the only question with
du Wds Int eApeuicIlCy vi uuiIR sO tHis tlule
Or. Warner OF Conn.,, introduced the following, |
Fbieh MAS adopted:
THANKS.
hc.e,sed, That the thanks Of the council are |
me and hereby teil,.S.e.i to the Board of HeQlth
f the District of Columbia; the various institu-
ions of the Dstrict-the doors of which have been
brown open for the entertainment OF its mem-
to the Executive and other gentlemen |
rho have so eOurteously extendedto us their lib
raj Inequalities.
Or. Cox presented the following, which was
greed to:
Resolred, That the thanks of the council are
ne and hereby rendered to the presiding officers
1 the same for the able and impartial manner in
Thich their duties have been discharged. and
the reporters OF the city press for their attend
nee upon the sessions Of the council and their
all and accurate reports Of its proceedings.
The council then adjourned sine die.
VISITING.
After the adjournment the delegates proceeded
body TO the Executive Mansion gI,I paid their
aspects to President Grant. where a short time
Ias spent in pleasant conversation. They next
isited Governor Shepherd, and met with q cordial
eeeption. Carriages were then provided, and
he Smithsonian Institute, Patent Office, and
;her places OF intcrcs. were visited. Every attcn-
ion was bestowed upon the visitors and they feel
cry much pleased with their soiourn in this city.
n the evening they concluded their stay in this
ty by visiting the National theatre and Theatre
'omique. and Judging from appearances they
Iere well pleased with both places Of amuse-
nent.
They leave for their several homes to-day and
I'LL meet in this city one year hence.