Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-02-07
CITIZENS, SANITARY ASSOCIATION.


Despite of numerous other meetings,
there was large attendance at the an
nual meeting of the association, held last
evening at Metropolitan Hall. After
reading the minutes, DIR. j. G. Thomas,
President, called Vice President Estill to
the chair. DIR. Thomas then read the fol-
lowing interesting
REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT.
To the Members Of the Citizens Sanitary As
ISOLATION Of Savannah:
In accordance with article section 8 OF
your bylaws, l beg leave to make the follow
ing report OF the transactions of the EXeeu-
tive Council for the past year:
A meeting of citizens for -thS~ purpose of
forming an auxiliary sanltfrv association, was
held at the i0ns room of the Exchange build
ing on the l4th of December, 1881, when pre-
liminary action was taken, the movement
being met with great favor.
On the 30th of December q second meeting
was held, at which a temporary Executive
Council was organized and constitution anu
bylaws adopted. On January zoth, !oSz' an
other meeting was held, when action was
taken in regard to procuring charter, anu q
committee Of five was appointed to make an
inspection of Hutchinson's Island, when was
thought to be in an unsanltary CONDITION.
On the oath day of January, 1882 meeting
of the Executive Council was held, at which
the report OF the above named committee on
the condition of Hutchinson's Island was pre-
sented and read, and motion was passed To
call a general meeting Of the association at the
Long Room of the Exchange on January 3Otn.
This meeting was largely attended, and the
report of the committee was read ana series
of resolutions adopted, urging the city au-
thorities to take action in the premises.
On Tuesday, the 4th of February, the hrst reg,
ular meeting of the association was held, anu
the present Executive Council was elected.
On the 10th of February meeting OF the
Council was held, when officers were elected,
and standing committees were appointed.
buz only w transacted
meeting ON the LIST of March.
On the Sth of March two very inter
esting reports were presented; one by
General Gilmer, on the sanitary con-
dition of the public schools. and one by
Col John Screven, on the canals and drain
age, with special reference to the condition
Of HutchinsOn's Island, urging the necessity OF
vigorous action on the part OF the city author
titles before the approach OF warm weather.
During the months OF FeDruafy, March anu
April, the Committee on Conference win
CITY and County authorities had frequent
meetings and made repeated examinations OF
HutchinsOn's Island, and urged the import
ance of its early and thorough drainage On
the 10th of March the President announced
that he had entered into contract with Mr.
A. Schwaab as Inspecting Sanitary Engineer
and on motion this action was ratlned' Inc
formula of duties of the several standing com,
mittees was discussed and adopted. On Apfll
5th, at meeting of the Executive Council
in connection with the Joint committee
in conference with city and county
/
and Drainage, resolution was adopted call
ing a general meeting of the association at the
Savannah Theatre on April 10Th. In accord
ance with this call, full meeting was held,
at which the report in reference TO the I'M
sanitary condition of Hutohins0n's Island was
read, and, on motion, was adopted, ana a
resolution passed requesting the Secretary 10
forward copy of the same TO the CITY Couh-
Gil At this meeting addresses were made by
Colonel John Screven, General jackson and
Others On April 18th and 18th there were no
quOrums at the meetings. May Iftn regular
order OF business was adopted. On June list
the Medical Director and Inspecting Sanitary
Engineer submitted reports, which were or
der to be referred to the Committee on PuDll-
cation The Treasurer also submitted re-
mort On july 18th a special meeting was
called to consider the question OF the closing
of SapelO quarantine station. and resolution
was passed requesting the President 10 pro-
coed to Washington and use his influence to
prevent this. which appointment, owing 10
professional duties, he was compelled 10 ue-
cline and subsequently telegram was sent 10
the National Board of Health ana our. oena-
tors and Representatives in Congress, urging
the continuance of the station during the
summer.
There were no regular meetings in July
and August, owing to the absence from the
city of a large number of the Executive Coun-
Gil On the 10th of September large ana
interesting meeting of the Executive Councl
was held, at which a number of the members
of the several standing committees were pres
ent.' The President read paper on the SUD
ect of National Quarantine and the great
Importance of SapelO station. lie was re-
Guested to pIepare a copy of his paper for the
archives of the association. There were no
regular meetings in October, November and
December.
was called. Reports of several
standing committees were presented,
and resolution adopted authorizing the pub
LEGATION of certain reports which had been
read before the Council, and also making ar
rangements for the annual election of officers
on the first Tuesday in February.
For the work done by the Inspecting Eng-
neer of the association, / beg to refer you to
his reports, viz: One of the l4th of June, 1882,
with rules and regulations Tor plumoing
adapted to this community. ana annexed, anu
supplemental report of 26th OF January, 1888.
: The calls for special house inspections were
not as numerous as were expected, but the En-
gineer has answered every call promptly,
made his inspections as thorough as possible
under the circumstances, and IN ms reports
has endeayored to show the defects IN the
plumbing, and also to disseminate a know
ledge of such principles OF sanitation as ne
may have found to have been violated. 1t IS
only within the last few years that more at
tention has been called to the defective man
ner in which plumbing in general was planned
and executed. and only after the
causes of MANY diseases have
been traced to the emanations into
dwellings of dangerous gases created In the
sewers and drain pipes. Eminent physicists
have proved by experiment that the gases
evolved from purifying organic substances,
though offensive to the sense of smell, may be
inhaled with comparative l4punlty Nhen
fresh and diluted in the atmosphere, but when
kept in close, dark places for some tlme they
become dangerous to high degree, and even
killing animals OF as low an organization
as frogs This fact being proved, though IL Is
IN dispute as vet what the general cause of
such deterioration may be, 1t Is evident that
unless all our modern soil, drain and sewer
pines are kept strictly clean by a careful con-
structiOn and frequent flushing, they Will form
receptaces for such pernielOus gases, when,
by defects in the plumbing. or by deterioration
or cOrrosiOn of the house pipes, VIII enter our
the inhabitants. Our women ana emil
dren, who lead more scdentafy
life, and are generally OF weaker
constitution. are more directly exposed
and will suffer most from such deleteri-
Gus influences, though strong, active men
have been known to be affected by them,
and If not actually Frustrated, at least
suffer through lower tone OF LGalth
and loss of power; and it therefore be-
comes the duty of every head OF household
to protect himself and family against such
effects This can only be done by strict watch
fulness and cleanliness of every part OF
house and by using every safeguard that MOI
ern sanitary science has devised. Inc plumb
ing of house should not only be done with
the best materials and in the most perfect
manner and according to the most improved
plan, but ii ought to be carefully examined,
from time to time, to detect any deterioration
that may have occurred through age or accl-
dent. Let us trust thai the great advantage
of having a skilled Sanitary Engineer to in
spect our houses will be more appreciated dur
ing the next year.
our Medical Director, in a report
read at the meeting of the Executive
Council on June 18th, called the attention of the
members and the public generally to GER
tain potent causes Of disease existing amongst
us In this report he alludes to the habits of
the people, the condition of their houses and
premises. He also eNanliHes INTO the sanitary
condition Of our streets and lanes, seaNenger-
iner .Eaf = SlanOhtpr bOnspS- water
sewers and drainage, and points out how
they affect health injuriOusly, and suggests
means for their Improvement. This report OF
so much public interest should have been pub
lished Immediately upon its being read, but
through some inadvertency has remained in
the hands Of the Finance Committee until the
present time. The Medical Director has also
prepared a second report covering the follow
ing subjects, VIZ: Bilbo canal, quarantine,
ventilation of public buildings,public schools.
the sanitary condition of public stables, and
aIludes to chimney sweeps, street sprinkling.
etc. etc, to all of which | beg to call your
special attention.
This is your first annual meeting. One
wear of the life and work OF our association is
behind us. The first year of the life
of a child or an institution is not ordinarily
crowded with incidents that are startling or
even attractive: but Oftentimes that first
wear for either child or institution is not the
least important Of its existence. We COM
menced bV setting before us certain Objects
which, while they may not have been clearly
defined to us all, yet il we go on and give in
intelligent consideration and study to them,
good results will be worked out both for our
selves and our city.
Our rules require us to assist in preventing
the introduction or spread of disease and to
aid the public authorities In carrying INTO
effect all proper ordinances or laws relating
to public health. We declared in every wa
that we had no intention of Offering any EN-
barrassment to the authorities in carrying
into effect sanitary laws: but, on the