Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1886-04-07
Meeting of Board of Street Commits
sioners Monday Evening.

slOners M01daY Evening.
Health Officer Dr. F. G. MOULDING
submitted his annual report to the Board
al follows:
To the Board Of Health.
GENTLEMEN:-I have the honor of submitti ne
this my third annual report as Health officer OF
your city for the year ending, April lst, 1886.
During the past year no scourge or epidemic
of disease has visited the city, but considerable
sicknes IS has prevailed and the mortality has
been greater than for the preceding year, due in
most part to the more changeab1e weather that
has occurred. 1t is almost impossible to keep a
correct record of deaths, as there is no system
,, for their report making It necessary for the
health officer to visit the different undertaking
establishments in order to learn the number OF
deaths, by this means one cannot learn the
ca use of death and it is very difficult to find out
the sex and age.
am exceedingly gratIfie0 to report the pro-
gress made from sanitary standpoint. for less
trouble has been experienced this year than any
before, in having the people follow the 1nstruc-
tons given by the health officer, and removing
nuisances where existing, few obstinate cases
have occurred where considerable pressure had
to be brought to bear before the parties would
remove the nuisances, but happily these cases
were rare the great trouble as in past years have
been with the pig pens and dirty alley ways.
wish it were possible to establish a limit, where
pigs could be kept and to limit the number
owned by one family; especially in the Sixth
ward and portion of the Second ward. parties
own from three to six pigs and keep them in
small stys, where it is simply impossible TO pre-
vent the foul odors caused by them.
Another cause OF com plant are the privy vaults
but with these the parties owning them, when
notified have either had them cleaned or disin-
fected
The slaughter. houses have been kept in a very
Clearly condition, little no complaint has
been found with them. l think all the butchers
have tried to be careful as possible and have
used every precaution. Considerable has been
pl1Ol nrTpr
has in most cases been sufficient, and in only
eleven cases has it been necessary to furnish the
marshal with written order for the suppress
sion of the nuisance and have him serve the
same.
In the report of the State Board of Health
favorable mention is made of the sanfta-y work
done in Watertown.
While the amount of sickness and the mortal
ity has been above the average, this has not
been due to contagious or epidemic diseases.
For the past year thirty three .33) cases OF
diphtheria, with ten (l0) deaths; six 6) cases OF
scarlet fever, with no deaths; and two (2) cases
oft5 phOid fever, with one % death, have been
reported to me. During The fall months measles
prevailed quite extensively, but no fatalities re-
ported. Doubtless other cases of contagious dis
eases have occurred that the attending Physi-
clans did not report but the number cannot be
great, the physicians as rule have been prompt
to report all cases of contagious disease, but q
few are careless in that respect One hundred
and sixty-four (l64) deaths have occurred in the
past year, of these ninety-fOur (9Q were adults
and seventy (70) children, ninty-four (9D male
and seventy (70) female.
In nearly every CITY of this size in the state
death certificate from the health officer is neces-
sary before burial can take place. l wish this
custom could be established here, tie expense
of furnishing the blanks would be Sllgnt, ana
then there would be something definite to form
our reports, n OF only the Common Council, but
the State Board of Health
Another suggestion would make, is IN regard
to compulsory vaccination. This 8 now done III
Milwaukee with the most happy results; tae
children pay for the vaccine used, and the city
does the vaccInating free ofcharge to the school
children, then certificate from reputable
physician proof of vaccination is necessary
before they can be admitted to the schools
law that is generally disobeyed is the pubic
funerals of parties dying of contagious diseases
In spite of all that can be done, this is the gen
eral way these funerals are conducted, frequent
" the persons being dead and buried before the
health officer hears of their death:
think the outlook for the citr from sanitary
standpoint is good and have felt more encour-
aged this year, than ever before. with the inter
est that the public take in keeping the city IN g.
Clearly and healthy condition.
Particular thanks are due the city council, 1or
tho uniform kindness and courtesy that they
have shown. and the interest they have taken IN
promoting the work done by the health officer
Thanks are also due the city marshal Tor as
sistance rendered. Very Respectfully.
f. C. MOULDING, III. d.
Health Officer
The following was presented and read
by the clerk:
To the Hon Board Of Street Commissioners:
GENTLEMEN: According to a resolution pass
ed by the board of street commissioners that the
nightwatches shall be under the control of the
marshal. am compelled to report the following
case to you: On the morning of the Sd of April
the nightwatch of the east SIDE of the river c.
f. WeAdtlandt was found asleep by Fred Ben
ling, and he (Behling) took the star from him.
therefore would submit the case to your hon
orable body. Respectfully.
G, F. ZAUTNER
City Marshal.
On motion of Com. Schmidt @. f.
Wendtlandt was summoned before the
board, and having explained the matter
satisfactory to the board, on motion of
Com. Habhegger the case was dismissed.
The board adjourned to Thursday
evening, when the votes will be canvassed
and the report of the Finance committee
presented.
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