The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-11-02
THE BOARD OF HEALTH.

At the regular meeting last evening the follow
ing members were present: DR.. Chopin, presi-
dent: Drs. JONES' Austin, fancy and Taylor. Mr..
Mott and Col. Hsrdie.
The minutes were read and laid over for
amendment.
A communication from A. K. Miller & Co.,
agents Of the
BRITISH STEAMER sANDRIgHAM.
supplemented by the report Of the Board OF
Under writer's, was read, charging the fire in that
vessel to the carelessness OF the quarantine
officials while fumigating that vessel. They al
lege that some sixty odd boxes OF sugar we're
damaged and no lily the board that it will be
held responsible for the loss. DR.. Chopin sub
mitted in reply letter from DR.. Finney. the resi-
dent physician at the Quarantine Station, in
which it is repre- scented that it was accident for
which no one was specially responsible, and
estimating the damage as trifiiDg. In conse-
quence OF the anxiety OF the captain OF the vessel
to reach the city, and the absence Of any case of
sickness aboard, the fumigation had been made
with open ash.pots, from which the fire orig-
mated.
Mr.. Mott thought 1t had occurred from
cULPABLE NEGLIGENCE
on the part of the quarantine authorities. The
open buckets used had been tried In the presence
OF the president and himself, and with ordinary
care were not dangerous. The accident in this
instancewas occasioned byleaving them in the hold
for several hours, during which time the persons
charged with the fumigstion had gone ashore
Fires had also been reported from negligence on
board two other vessels.
Dr. Jones offered . resolution, which was
adopted, authorizing the pre- sident Of the board
to institute the proper inquiry upon the safety Of
this method OF fumigation, and also upon the acts
OF DR.. FInney In this particular case.
Mr.. Mott voted against the resolution, on the
ground that it would be . waste Of time.
LETTER FROM THE GOVERNOR
wasread setting forth that he had seen in the
public prints certain very grave charges against
DIR. Fihney, the resident physician 1T the Ouaran-
tine Station, relating to his conduct in the case of
the detention OF the Alabama and other matters
as published IN our report Of the proceedings Of
the last meeting Of the board, and asking official
information on the subject.
The president was instructed by resolution
offered by Col. Hardie TO forward the Governor
the minutes OF the open and secret sessions OF
the board in which the matter was discussed, to-
gether with the reports Of the finance and special
committees bearing on the same.
On motion OF DR.. Austin
VOTE OF THANKS
was rendered the managers OF the Mobile and
New Orleans Road, and specially superintendent
Robinson, for the aid given the board in carrying
out the measures adopted by the board to pre-
vent the introduction OF yellow fever into this
CITY during the past season.
DR.. Taylor, secretary and treasurer of the
board, then read q
REPLY TO THE REPORT OF THE FINANCE COMMITTEE,
as rep rted at the last meeting. After hearing
the reply OF DR.. Tay lor the board corrected the
port OF the committee as to one item of $152,
deficit attributable to error of DIR. RYAN, ae-
sis ant ply clan at the Quar- milne Station, and
then adopted it az showing deficit Of 1857 not
accounted for, which was assumed and made
good tv the secretary.
MIR. Mott then offered his resignation as chair.
man and member OF the finance committee, which
the board positively declined to consider.
DR.. Austin then remarked to DR.. TAYLOR that
these difficulties could be healed if he (Dr Fay
LORI would resign either his position az a member
Of the board or that of secretary and treasurer,
as uDder the law the two positions were incom-
pstible.
Quite discussion ensued upon
THE RIGHT OF DR.. TAYLOR
to act as secretary and treasurer while he held
the position OF a member, and it was finally re-
solved, on motion of Col. Hardie, that the presi.
dent Of the board should address letter to the
Governor asking him to submit the question to
the Attorney General for his formal opinion, that
officer having declined to express an opinion IN.
less so instructed by the Governor.
The matter was also referred to Messrs Austin
and Kennedy, attorneys of the board.
Mr. Hardie for the Committee on Drainage
reported that they had agreed upon plans which
would be submitted to the City Council when
the budget comes up for consideration
Mr. Mott asked the President if yellow fever
epidemic was possible at this late date. Dr.
Chopin thought not. eff that is the case,
said Mr.. Mott, Il propose that quarantine be
raised"
Mr.. Hardie thought it best to wait fer frost
and Mr.. Motifs proposition was rejected
The board then adjourned to meet Thursday
next, at 6:30 p. m.