National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-03-17
HEALTH OFFICERS REPORT

approved anu OIueIeu 10 W paul
HEALTH OFFICERS REPORT.
The following Is q SYNOPSIS Of the operations OF
the health office for the week ending March ID:
Nuisances reported, 54j; referred, ll2; abated,
56l; referred TO Commissioners, Il; citizens CON-
plants IS: notices Issued 81 causes Of death in
vestigated, 9; burials at public expense, 9; pa
tents treated by physicians to the poor 241; cost
OF medicines furnished, 1896; dead animals re-
moved, 81: loads of garbage removed, 49, privies
cleaned, $50. InspectiOns-l7, 900 punches hsh.
S,395 Bushels oysters. COndemnatipns-75 punches
nsh SOS bushels oysters, Il pounds veal % pounds
beef 10 pounds bacon, 10 birds, chickens, II ra6
bits, u turkeys, geese, % heads cabbage, 3
dozen oranges, 81 bushels apples, animals i'm
pounded, 5; redeemed, 4; killed, l; amount real
John T. Heck made application for position
under the board.
DR.. Cox called attention to the careless manner
in which drugs were dispensed from an apothe-
cary without physicians prescription, and said
that in almost any drug store the most deadly
poison could easily be procured He cited the case
OF patient whom he had that day been called
upon to attend for taking an overdose of lauda-
mum. He had sent a tumbler to the druggist, who
was prominent one in the city, procured the
quantity OF morphine desired, and when the glass
was returned it had the label pasted on the side.
He supposed the medicine had been given out by
the clerk, in the absence Of the proprietor, and ii
the customer had wished a quart, instead Of ten
cents worth, she could have as easily obtained it.
PUBLISHING THE SECRET RECORDS.
DR.. Bliss called attention to the fact that por-
tion OF the secret records Of the last meeting OF
report in the awarding Of the contract for removal
of nightsoll &c, had been published in the news
papers, pt appeared IN THE NATIONAL REPUB-
L'CAN OF Saturday. and he should ASK for some
action on the subject at the next meeting.
DR.. Verdi said that he was responsible for the
publication, as he wanted il understood that he
did nothing in the dark All of his acts as a
member OF the board were open for public seru-
tiny. He was responsible for the transaction, and
wished 10 call attention TO the TACT that this was
not the first occurrence Of the kind, for he had
even known OF papers being published before they
were submitted to the board.
DR.. Bliss replied that this was not the first time
such action had occurred, and Of which the same
gentleman was the cause, and 1t was to prevent
It's repetition that certain rules had been adopted
governing the publication of the records. DR..
NeTdl's report was
INCORRECT AND sARBLED,
and would convey the idea that he was the i'm
nacUlRte member, while the others nigh, be
stOOptpg 70 d!shonOrable dealing, and concealed
their dTings by executive sessions He thought
the course the MEMBER nau pursuSd was an insult
TO the other members Of the board.
DR.. Verdi replied that his course was no insult
to the members. He was in the minority in the
case referred to. and If his action was not made
public we'll as the reason prompting his course,
The community would be in ignorance OF the
causes governing his action. He could cite re.
peated occasions for precedent where the records
had been given for publication, and felt himself
perfectly right in doing what he had done. He
remembered when the president Of the board was
sent, come two years ago, at the expense Of the
board, TO New York for q certain purpose and on
lis return read his report from printed paper
published in this city.
AS long as he was a member of the board, or
any other to which he was appointed by the Pres.
ident Of the United States, he wanted the public
TO know what he was doing, and If the members
would
ABOLISH THESE SECRET SESSIONS
| this trouble would be avoided. He claimed to be
free man. and If he could not serve with liberty
and freedom he would not serve at all. He was
| in the minority, and did not believe in being
showed into corner and his action kept from
sight.
Mr.. Narbury counseled moderation, and thought
they ought to work tremendously together.
Dr. Cox said that he should not say anything
at this time but when the resolution was brought
before the board for discussion he should give
expression to his opinions.
The board then adjourned