Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-01-01
NArIONAL HEALTH CONFERENCE
Dr. McFarland's Report to the City
Council Last Night.

Dr. McEariand's Report to the City
Council Last Night.
DR.. j. Il. Mcfarland made his report to
Council last night, covering the workings
Of the National Health Conference re-
Gently held in Washington, to which he
was a delegate. Many Of the details of
the conference have already been pub
lished in an interview with DR.. McFar-
land, which appeared in the News on his
return to Savannah, but some interesting
points not heretofore published are en-
bodied m tire port. At the conclusion
OF his ado 6ss before the conference Eras-
tus Brooks, II New York, who was Chair
man, expressed the opinion that the Fed
eral government, through the Marine Hos
pltal service, was not using all precau-
tlOnary measures which could and should
De enforced TO prevent the introduction of
cholera into the United States.
After the appointment of the standing
Committees on Federal Legislation. State
Legislation and Municipal Legislation,
delegates were called upon, and each
gave statements regarding the sanitary
condition and quarantine efficiency and
management Of their respective localities.
Dr. W. NJ. Smith, Health Officer of New
York, read paper setting forth in strong
terms the ineticiency Of snip surgeons as
"a class, the unsanitary and dangerous
arrangements Of hospitals on MANY emf
grant ships arriving at New York, the
failure of the maritime sanitary regula-
tions TO prevent the Introduction of con-
tagious or infectious diseases into this
ry, and the unreliability of foreign
oils OF health brought by vessels.
The report Of DIR. G.. IL. Steinburg. u.
-. ~, ,5p8a disinfect.tIs- - denounced as
utterly : -tnless aftsr ample test. the
many EOsUum5 sold as germicides, and
recommended bi-chlOride of mercury and
chlorine gases as worthy of confidence.
The reports Of the standing committees
were interesting. Probably the most i'm
pOrtant was that on Municipal LegisIa-
tiOn, which recommended as follows:
First. That all surface wells should be
closed at the earliest possible moment and
tiat great care should be taken that the water
supply Ol all cities. towns and villages shall
be ol undOubJcd purity.
Second. That an privy vaults should be
abolished wherever water closets can be sup
piled, and that wherever the existence OF such
vaults is necessary that they should be rem
derCd water tight IN such a manner as 10 pre-
vent the SaturatlOn. not only of the ground
surrounding them, but also of the materials
| OF which they are built, and that the contents
of such vaults should be kept constantly dis
/ infected and removed to a proper place at
| frequent intervals.
Third. That an stagnant ponds, when prac-
ucable, should be dlslnfected, and when pos
Sl1ie. the water removed by drainage or
1 pumping. ANfl the IUFLucF accumulation pre-
| vented 10y hlllng with fresh earth or other
material free from garbage or other filth
Fourth. That great care should be exercised
% keep at all times clear and free from OBJ
structIon all sewers into which passes the re-
iusc from dwellings, factories and other build
Ings. and that such examinations should he
made as Will detect imperfect plumbing in all
buildings and the defects immediately cor
is directed to the necessity for the thorough
ventilation of all soil and waste pipes, and TO
the dangers connected with untrapped and
unnushcd soil, waste and overflow pines
Fifth. That extraordinary care should be
exercised IN reference to all tenement houses.
i lodging houses and in general all places where
| large numbers of human beings congregate
that no accumulation of garbage or other
Gltd he permitted IN Gel rs or wards and
that frequent and thorough cleaning and
whlteWaShlng OF such structures be required.
and that h0uschOlcers should tcqucntly and
thoroughly examine their J rds, cellars,
closets and other out of the way places, to see
that no filth of any kind has been deposited
there.
sixth. That the food supply be vigorously
watched to exclude from the market all un-
wholesome meat; all milk adultcrated or
from diseased animals, and all unrlpe fruits
and vegetables, and that COW stables be kept,
no an times, clean. well WhiteWashed and free
from an eNcremeutal accumulatiOns
seventh. That all garbage, kitchen and
household refuse should be promptly removed
from dwellings, stores and other buildings to
"a proper place. where II may be destroyed by
rs 10 occasion no nuisance.
Eighth. That such material should never be
used in the nllIug OF lots. or disposed of by
throwing the same IN streets or vacant prop
Crty where IL may dec0mpOse and eXhale Of
feusive and deleteriOus gases.
Ninth. That the attention of the authorities
of an institutions, both public and private.
and of individuals as well. be drawn to the
great Importance of maintaining a habit of
personal cleanliness IN the persons under their
charge. as being one Of the most efficient
means OF warilng OF an attack of cholera, or,
u % has once appeared, Of greatly reducing
It's vIrulonce and fatality.
Tenth. should the cholera appear in anv
place in this country the health authorities
Of the place should have immediate notice of
the first case. IN order that prompt action
may be taken for complete isolation and dis
infection.
Eleventh That all authorities Of states.
cities or villages be urged TO adopt measures
which will result in the amelioration of all
the foregoing propositions, with the warning
that in the opinion OF this conference such
conditions. u permitted 10 continue, will
greatly promote the spread of cholera when
10 comes. and with the assurance that if
requisite measures are promptly taken to re-
move them the disease VIII be less likely to
attack a community so prepared, and If at
tackled such a community VIII be better able
TO cope with the disease and to reduce its
ravages TO q minimum.
The reports of the Committee on Fed
eral Legislation i'm reference to an inter
national health committee and national
board of health and the Committee on
State Legislation were briefly given by
DR.. Mcfarland, but they were published
in the News at the time.