Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-05
THE STATE BOARD.
Another Interesting Meeting mt Mash.
ville-Dr. ThorntOn's Reso.
lutf0Ds.
The Question OF Vaccination Dis.
eussed-PrecautiOns Against
Smallpox.

NASHVILLE, January 4.-The State Board
of Health met to-day, at the office of the
secretary, at 1870 o'clock am. DR.. 7. A.
Atchison was in the chair. A reper, from
the Committee on Epidemic Diseases showed
that there wers four cases of smallpox in
Nashville at present and forty-one in the
hospital. An account was given of the
methods adopted to prevent the spread of
the disease in Nashville. DIR. P. ID. Sims
offered resolution looking toward guarding
against the disease.
DIR. THoRNToN's RESOLUTIONS.
DR.. Thornton. of Memphis, introduced the
following:
WHEREAs, There has been maintained by
the National Board of Health, at the IN
stance of the State Board of Health, a
quarantine and inspection station for the
past three summers on Presidents Island, Just
below Memphis, for the purpose of inspect.
ing all steamboats,, etc., from the South, and
this board deems this a wise and essential
precaution toward the preservation of the
public health of the State for at least four
months of every year, from June 1st to
October Both, and the action OF Con-
gress a, its last session so limited the ap-
preparation for The National Board Of
Health that its cooperation with this board
will practically expire by June Both next, so
other quarantine or inspection service in the
State will devolve upon this board, and there
is no provision made by the Legislature
whereby this board can carry out the law
creating il in this respect, and especially
section of San act 10 amend an act TO
create State Board of Health, providing for
quarantine and the prevention and spread
OF epidemic disease, such as smallpox,
cholera, yellow.fever," etc.; therefore
n Al. l.
rislize the Legislature, at its present session,
10 make an appropriation of not less than
SIC, 600 to be used specifically for the pur-
pose of carrying out the duties imposed
upon it by -above-nsmed section. This
fund to be used for the purposes above set
forth alone and none other; and the commit
| tee would respectfully recommend the follow
| ing, also:
Resolped, That the aci passed at the last
| session of the Legislature, entitled An act
| to provide for the registration of births,
marriages and deaths in Tennessee" be 80
amended as to have the vital statistics OF
| zach eonsty in the State collected and Kept
| by an officer appointed for this duty, which
officer shall likewise act as county health
officer.
Resolued, That draft of bill relating to
coroners, further defining their duties, quail
cations and compensations, be referred to the
Committee ON Legislation Of the board for
| alteration or amendment,
| VACCINATION.
There was discussion of vaccination en-
| gagged in by all The members of the board
DR.. Atchison expressed his preference for
humanized virus, believing that it was &c
much eaiser and quicker TO take than bovine
that it should be used altogether. The
popular fears of it are groundless, and the
medical profession should so teach the peo
pie.
DR.. Thornton thought bovine was not al
easily assimilated by the system, and there
fore was more apt 10 fail. He said tha
there was no doubt about the protection ol
vaccination, and that it had been exempli.
fed in Memphis recently.
DIR. Sims thought vaecinia was originally
caused in the COW by contagion from vari.
ola or varioloid, and that they are identical
the cows system so modifying the prlnci
pal as TO give person vaccinia and no
sm allpox.
DIR. Pluuket said bovine virus could onl.
be used at short notice, and was the onl
| practical way at this day, as to preferre'
methods, when we have time it is difsren
question.
The presideat was requested 10 prepare
paper on the question for the next meeting
After the transaction OF some minor busl
ness, the board adjourned