The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-02-19
THE GUARDIANS OF HEALTH.
Discussing Sanitary Measures for the
Prevention of Epidemics.
The Local Health Officers of Indiana Meet in
Convention to Exchange Views ON Cues
tions Relating to Their Work.

There were nearly fifty Of the county sanitary
officers present yesterday at the convention
called by the State Board of Health for the dis
cussion of questions relating to sanitary matters
and the prevention of epidemics. The interest
manifested was very gratifying to the members
of the State board. and it is be-
lieved that the personal interchange of
views on questions relating to sanitary work will
have good effect in promoting the object of the
law creating the system. Among the prominent
sanitarians in attendance was DR.. j. F. Hubbard,
the original advocate of the law in Indiana, and
one Of the first members Of the State board
who participated in the discussions on the differ
ent subjects. and did much toward stimulating
the interest of his co-workers. A permanent
organization was effected, and an annual meet
ing will be held hereafter. DR.. George w. Burke,
of Henry county, was elected president.
An address was delivered by DR.. C. N. Met
calf, the secretary and executive officer of the
State board in which he explained at length the
purposes for which the convention was called.
The objects, he stated, were to promote unity
of action on matters essential to public health.
to prevent epidemics, and to discuss means of
A welcome was extended the visitors by Dr.
Seawright, president of the State board. He
expressed the hope that the meeting would lead
to the enactment Of law providing for an an
nual convention Of sanitary officers He men
toned, as matter that should receive the con-
sideration of those present, that cholera is pre-
vaiing with dreadful effect on some of the sea
islands, and unless the most vigilant precau-
tons are taken, the disease may reach this
country.
The attention of the convention was directed
to the charge by the Journeymen Plumbers AS
ISOLATION that there are imperfections of dan
gerous character in the plumbing of the new
State house building. It was claimed that the
law required that all such matters should re-
ceive the attention Of the State health officers
A resolution was offered, stating that lit is the
sense Of this convention that the State Board of
Health should at once institute such in
quiry as shall determine with certainty
whether or not there is anything
OF the Statehouse, now under construction, and
if anything defective in the ventilation, plumb
ing or drainage of the building or grounds is dis
covered, advise the State-house Commissioners
of the nature. extent and consequences Of the
defect, and what should be done to remedy it,"
W. B. Seward, of the State-house Commission,
was invited to make any statement that he de-
sired to regarding the resolution. The charges,
he said, were false Mr. Hudson, the president
of the plumbers association. when requested to
unable to do 60 Some of the pipes,
which, it had been stated. were inadequate, had
not been put into the building, and the work has
not yet been accepted by the Commissioners.
1t was decided by the convention that if Mr..
Hudson failed to prove his charges, and if the
Commissioners should accept the work. their
action should be approved by the health officers.
A question arose in relation to the general
rules of the State board being strictly applied to
all localities. 1t is claimed that some confusion
is occasionally caused by strict adherence to the
general rules, but the conclusion was reached,
after the matter had been discussed at some
length, that if the ruies are read carefully there
will be no trouble in following the instructions.
resolution was introduced by DR.. Irwin,
providing that "a house in which person has
been sick with smallpox can be so thoroughly dis
infected that it can be Immediately occupied
without danger to those who never had the dis
ease" There was some objection to the resolu-
ton being adopted, because it was believed to be
impossible to ascertain when the germs of dis
ease have been destroyed. DR.. Hubbard charac-
ton Of ignorance on the part of the association.
The discoveries of science show beyond all ques-
ton that the germs of such diseases as cholera,
smallpox and typhoid fever can be destroyed.
The question, us our country in danger of
briefly. 1t was believed that everything possible
had been done toward enlightening the public in
regard to the disease. and that nothing more
could now be done unless there should be
cholera epidemic. DR.. Hibbard said the most
INN ton hircp fa he
should be an epidemic, is the destruction of the
living germs after passing from the afflicted per-
son. This could be done, and in every case
the action should be prompt.
In discussing the question, "How shall the
people be educated in sanitary mattersW State
Superintendent Holcombe, in response to an in
vitation from the convention to express his
views. delivered a brief address, stating that he
would gladly cooperate with the health officers
in their efforts to promote the sanitary education
of the people. He expressed the opinion that
the investigation into the sanitary condition of
schools, instituted by DR.. e. S. Elder while sec
rotary of the Health Board, had resulted in much
good. and he believed that the investigation
which would be made next spring would show a
very marked Improvement
Dr. Bradbury, of Muneie. thought that the pu-
pills of the public schools should be instructed in
sanitation, while DR.. Smith believed that the
distribution of circulars explaining how disease
could be prevented in localities where epdemics
q
effective means of educating the people on sani-
tary matters. DIR. Hubbard suggested that the
public might be educated to protect themselves
by sanitary departments in the country newspa-
pers. but doubted the advisability of employing
this method, for the reason that criticisms from
rival papers would probably be provoked, and
controversy would have bad influence The
discussion resulted in the adoption of the follow
ing resolution:
Resolved That it is the Judgment of this conven-
ton that health primers should be introduced into the
public schools of State for the purpose of educat
ing the youth on hygiene and sanitation.
DR.. Metcalf submitted to the convention sew
eral proposed changes in the present law The
amendments recommended will be presented to
the next Legislature. He urges the necessity of
placing the diseases of domestic animals in
charge of the State Board of Health, with author.
ity to destroy those affected with contagious or
infectious diseases that are liable to be COM
municated to human beings. Among other
amendments which he recommended was one
e. H. D1sc 49, Az a.