St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-29
HEALTH TOPICS.
The Meeting of the State and Local
Boards,
To Discuss the Present and Prospective Sani-
tary Condition of the State.
Morning. Ses,fo,..

boards of health was opened at the caucus
room in the state capitol yesterday morning,
and was called to order by DIR. C. n. Hewett,
OF Red Wing, q fair attendance of the MEM
oers of the state board, and delegates from
the local boards being present, whose mum
bers were accelerated by the incoming trains
during the day.
An appropriate prayer was offered by Rev.
E. D. Neill, pastor of Calvary Reformed
Episcopal church of Minneapolis, after which
DR.. Hewett, thanking Gov. Hubbard for his
Official recognition of the sanitary work in
the state, introduced him to the assemblage
with the announcement that he had con-
scented to preside at the morning session of
the conference.
In taking the chair Gov. Hubbard said he
was pleased to welcome to the state capitol
this conference in the discharge of a great
public duty in the constipation of ques-
tons of vital Importance to the whole citi-
Zensbip of Minnesota. The boards of health
of our state were an important adjunct to
our system of civil government, and their
usefulness was fully recognized by the peo-
pie. The importance Of thoroughly organ
lied sanitary work was admitted and the
work of our health officers was generally ap-
preciated by those communities which fortu-
nately had organized their forces and conse-
quently had been benefited from the act. 1t
was the hope that as a result from this con-
ference more intelligence would be gained
as to the practical and thorough necessities of
the system, and improved methods would
be adopted for the enforcement of them.
IF
al the citizens Of the state in aiding them to
defend against the epidcmics which We are
exposed to anG against all the possibilities Of
such visitations in the future.
DR.. Hewett then remarked that reports of
the local boards Of health by delegates were
, in order, and as they were given in invited
i.he fullest discussion.
Dr. J. F. Londry, Of Audubon, Becker
county, reported the satisfactory workings Of
the board at that place, the town was quite
healthy, though there was impure water in
the wells which were impregnated with sui
phuret of hydrogen, and there was a lack of
ventilation, and too much budding together
in the houses of the scandinavian popula-
ton.
DR.. G. F. Warner, Of Mankato, Blue Earth
county, reported an efficient board in that
city, monthly inspection, abate
meut Of nuisances being en-
forced through prosecution in the
police court. The sanitary condition Of the
city was good, though the people needed ed
ucation therein, while water supply system
was needed. He thought there should be a
sanitary prOfessOrship in the normal schools
TO educate the people on this subject. ow-
IL
we're depended on for water, and there was
no surface drainage.
DR.. Chas. Berry, OF New Ulm, Brown
county, said his people thought a doctor
could not rise above his pocket book, and
were suspicious Of one as a health officer.
The poor people could be handled easily
enough, but the ricn men put the health
officer at defiance, while the justice would
aid the latter in decisions when brought be-
fore him for sanitary misdemeanOrs. He
wanted law 10 bring the rich man down
from his perch as also the justice. Though
there was poor water supply his city was
healthy.
DR.. A. D. Abel, Of Pennington, Dakota
county, reported n board Of health which
made general overlooking Of the village in
the spring and fall, and to whose suggestions
the citizens responded with alacrity. The
place was remarkably healthy and there
had been no epidemic. TIE sanitary
needs are drainage, and good water
is attainaoe everywhere by sinking drive
wells ten feet
DR.. Hewett made a report for Red Wing.
where he said it was impossible to get a
health board organization except in the teeth
of an approaching epidemic The city was
rddled with cess pools and ont houses, and
had no sewer system, though it obtained
water from Il reservoir pumped from the
river upon a high bluff The statistics the
world over show that there were 900 privies
10 every 5000 inhabitants and he was
ashamed OF the talk Of provision Of his city
against epidemic danger, more necessary
than TO provide a fire department TO fight u
possible fire.
Mr. Anderson, of Leon, Goodhue county,
reported that town as healthy, provided With
good water and free from contagious di-
seascs
DR.. y. J. Piuoult. Of Osseo Hennepin
county, reported all the towns in that county
in good sanitary condition.
Hans Lunde, Of Stauchfed, Isanti county,
reported that since the last tight with small
poX in that county there had been no cpl
demic disease in that region.
DR.. B. Lamhrrchts, OF Willmar KankiyoAi
county, reported the county healthy with the
exception OF 4 few cases Of diphtheria caused
by impure water
CDR. Ii. NJ Workman, Of Tracy, Lyon
county, reported the sanitary condition Of
that place not good, though q was superb
eially clearly appearing. The wells we're
impure and he had filed up some OF the
worst with earth at the risk of prosecution.
4 Sam Written, Of Rochester, Omsted
'ytHuuty, pronounced the sanitary condition
OF that city as good.
DR.. II. +. Uoyt gave in detail the number
OF officers aud inspectors Of the health board
OF 81. Paul, and the duties they performed.
There had been no epidemic in the city for
two wears, with not case OF smallpox in
one year Scarlet fever and diphtheria were
steadily decreasing. Drainage was good as
far SIS it went but more sewers were needed
and the water system extended
DR.. ). ). CrandaU, Of Lambertou, Red
wood county, saic that place had an organ
tied board OF four years standing. aud
though IL had a large foreign population the
general sanitary condition was good.
DR.. !. r. Dunn, OF Shakopce, Scott county,
said that board OF health had
been resolved upon in diph-
liberia scare. which when over
consequent upon isolation OF families Ia
which IL broke out, was forgotten about
There was a good supply OF water from deep
wells.
Or J. VI. Monsters, OF Sluk Center.
Stesrus county. said there had been a board
OF health there for ten wears. operating the
last year under a city charter. No epidemic
had visited the place since lST2 Water was
obtained by sinking wells thirty-ive feet, bet
drainage was poor
Dr. Johnson. % the Wisconsin Health
board was introduced aud made s few re-
marks. showing that state was hand in hand
with Minnesota in this increment