The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1885-12-11

all precautions seemed to have been taken to
secure good sanitary conditions, stu cursory
examination could not positively determine the
exact condition of the plumbing Of the water
closets, and as there some odor perceptible In
the cellar under the new extension In the rear
and about the urnals in the front cellar, he would
advise closing the school until full investigation
can be made by the proper authorities.
Mr.. II. H. Burgess concurred in the opinion of
Mr. Shaw.
Mr.. George C. Burgess stated that the original
vaults in rear of the building were as long ago
in the mayoralty of Mr.. wescott cleaned out and
filled up properly, as he had reasonto suppose,
and water tanks built of brick and connecting
with the sewer placed over them; that these
often freezing up were not entirely satisfactory,
consequently two years ago these tanks were
washed out and sealed up, and other tanks,
such are used in all our best school
houses, placed in the front cellar;
that the rear extension had been entirely cleared
out and two small school rooms finished therein,
one in the first story the other In the second, and
that to all appearances and according to the opIn-
ion of teachers occupying them, these two rooms
are as unobjectionable as any in the building. Mr..
Burgess described the manner in which the pip
ing and ventilating fiues had been placed, under
the suggestions of the city engineer DR.. Baker
further stated that this piping ETC. had been done
under the general suggestion of an expert.
The city physician gave statements in regard to
the general appearance of the building when he has
visited it, corroboratve of Dr. Bakers statements,
that he had had under his care some dozen chill
dren sick with diphtheria ON Munjoy Hill and only
one belonging in that school. DR.. Ring made
similar statement in regard to the apparent con-
dtion of the school house. All the doctors present
stated that home surroundings as well as school
houses should be scrutinized in looking for
causes of diphtheria, that carelessness in quaran
timing the sick often contributes to the spread of
the disease, and that the utmost care in disinfect
ing such homes and in excluding children and
others from such diseased persons should be prac-
ticed. All recommended the precaution of
thorough examination of the condition of this
school house.
In the course Of the investigation the bad SAM
tary condition of one two lots adjoining the lot
occupied by the Monument st. school house,
and near the buildings, were alluded to, and the
hope expressed that the investigation should in
clude all surroundings.
Dr. Baker introduced the following orders which
were unanimously passed:
Whereas, so large number of the inhabitants
whose children attend primary school No. 1
Monument st., fearful that the sanitary con-
dtion of the school house in that district contri-
butes to the spread of diphtheria:
Ordered, That said school be closed until the
sanitary condition of that school house can be full
ly ascertained and defects, if any, remedied.
Ordered, That the Committee on Public Build
ings Of the city council be requested to have a
thorough examination made, by competent par
ties, of the condition of Monument st. School
done, il anything, to place the house in proper
condition for school purposes.