Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1882-01-13
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
Result of yesterdays Interesting Ses-
siOns.

The State Board of Health held a very
interesting meeting esterday-intercSting
not on only to the profession throughout
the State, but to the laity generally. THE
first session was at = o'clock, at the cham
bero of the Senate Judiciary Committee. The
President, DR.. Geo. B. Moffett, of Parkers-
burg; Secretary, DR.. James L. Reeves of
this city; DR.. George III. Carpenter of
Moorefeld, and Hon. A. K. Barbee, NJ. d.,
of Point Pleasant, were present as men,
bers, forming quorum, and DR.. Richard
son, of Charlestown, Jefferson county. and
DR.. Mcdonald, of Union, Monroe county,
also participated.
DR. Dorsey Fitch. of MOrgantown. was
examined. as a candidate for a certificate.
This gentleman has taken two courses at
Morgantown and one at the Jefferson Col.
lege, at Philadelphia and he therefore was
found well ycrsed in the necessary medical
lore.
A satisfactory financial exhibit was made
by Secretary Reeves. This statement set
forth one fact with startling clearncss.
namely, the absolute necessity of n more
liberal appropriation for the next year.
The law is now i'll fine working order, but
if the people of the State are to enjoy all
of the benefits 10 be derived from
from il, more money must be at
the disposal of the Board. Printed
matter is especially needed and must be
had and the board was of the opinion that
having enacted so good law the Legisla-
ture would not now hamper its usefulness
to the people by refusing liberal appro-
priation. 1t was stated that but one State
in the Union, North Carolina, made rs
small an appropriation, and that only for
the first year.
DIR. Mofiett has in his possession letter
from Prof Cabell. President OF the Nation
al Board of Health and professor at the
University of Virginia, in which he states
that the West Virginia law is an admirable
one, but its working is impaired by
small and insufficient appropriation.
The remainder OF the afternoon was oc-
cupied in discussion OF the years plan of
sanitary police duty or public hygiene, in
its relation to the action, duty and powers
of local boards. At its conclusion the sec
rotary was ordered to prepare instructions
and furnish blanks for the reports from
the different counties concerning all queS-
tons relating to the public health.
In the evening an interesting session OF
the Board was held at the residence of
DR.. Reeves, on Chapline street. South Side.
The terrible ravages OF smallpox
subject OF full discussion and
in view Of the readiness with which
the disease can be.mct and hatfled by moe
culation, the Legislature will be asked to
consider the ACCESSIBILITY of enactipg COM
pulsory vaccination law. This is done in
other States and to advantage and there is
no reason to suppose that We will always
lie as free of the disease rs We are now.
About IL o'clock the Board wound up
very interesting session. The matter Of
appropriation was first in importance and
will no doubt occupy prominent place in
any communication or memorial which
may be made to the Legislature. The mem
bers express themselves as well pleased
with the results of the meeting