Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-07-07
STATE BOARD OF HEALTH.
An Abstract of the Last Annual Report.

- ~'<-~~~@ - Poih VA VIC ohAaG dual u
OF Health for the year 1887, prepared under
the careful editorship Of its accomplished
Secretary, Dr. A. G. Young, was presented
to the Council yesterday. 1t is well ar
ranged volume of 1874 pages, Astounding in
matter of the most vital importance to the
people of the State, and rendered serviceable
to any one consulting it by a glossary of
technical terms used in the body of the work.
and topical index of several pages. Its
general contents may be briefly summarized
as follows:
An introduction reviewing the work of the
Board for the past year; the statutes pertain
ing to its establishment and administration a
Republication of the several circulars and
blanks which have been issued during the
past year. pertaining to inspection of school
houses. prevalence of contagious diseases
water analysis, etc. expenses of the Board (:
reports of local Boards of Health, and special
papers contributed TO its pages by sanitary
experts. Upon almost every page of the
work is evidence of the wisdom of the Legis-
lature in the establishment of this important
bureau. in the information which it freely
conveys to the people of the State upon the
most vital question of the day-tbe public
health AMI how may be ma ntained.
During the past year the Board has given
much attention to the inspection of school
buildings to ascertain that their surroundings
are healthful, and all the conditions such as
will not be deleierious TO the health of the
children who pass so much of their time in
and about them; than which the Board can
devote It's time to no more important concern.
The reports of the local boards of health.
which may be regarded as auxiliary to
the central or State board show that the Law
creating them was passed none too soon.
Their work may be said to be threefold-
they act as educators or leaders in the cor
rect understanding and enforcement of sani
tary principles; they are arbters between
the thoughtless or willful Commuters of
nuisances and neighbors who suffer from,
and are injured by carelessness, and they
prevent and restrict the force of preventa-
Bile and infections diseases. There
can be no doubt that in every
instance where town or city boards are
in good working condition, they are the best
safeguard the people have for the admins
tration of all matters which affect the pub
lie health. IL any opposition to their work
has been apparent, it has come from ignorance
and prejudice, which are sure to be done
away as the good work of the town boards
becomes api aren't.
In regard To contagious diseases the re-
port states that small pox was imported into
the State twice but in each instance it was
limited TO the initial case Diptheria has
prevailed to some extent bnt the c1ses have
generally been restricted to the first case,
excepting in few instances of prolonged
outbreaks, the cause of which has been
the subtle nature of the infection. Scar
let fever has in most cases been
of a mild form and there has been no general
outbreak of typhoid fever. The publication
of the monthly bulletin of the Board, The
Sanitary Inspector, has been continued Dur
ing the year and it has done good work in
acquainting the people of the State with the
work of the Board, and in laying before the
public early information which the Secretary
has felt it necessary to issue for the general
good
The republication Of the circulars and
blank form for the securing of information
from local health officers. probably serves a
good purpose, although many of these really
pertain to the clerical work of the Depart
ment and not to the public But if by their
into this volume they will be
given wider publicity, and be likely to come
" WV "''N"'O" u '''o'' ~ ~ i''poN "
them good purpose VIII nave been served
The several circulars OF information on the
nature restrictions ana treatme"tot 'he wors.
fo' ms OF contagious disea'es' ~hich are sent
gratu,'iousy 10 towns ci'les' schooiS' stc''
also show that the officers of the Board are
faithful in the discharge of their duties. and
employing every means toeducate the people
TO proper UNDERSTANDING or the Jaws Oh
he"l'' a"" '"e summary 'o""''io"' ""AN" "''
NJ. ,.,a h,,od.,.l ,,o,,os 90 .,o ronor.
:, ,L,' - ,ho -,
s -. Ill -, -. -, -
a.. S..' =; 100" 20 -, 81, 80.
H. -.,i,,,sa e,o,, tho d,,ios ,yn,,tI ollo,y
500 fo,,r s,.ho,r h,iII;nas in ,rar,, ,,,o
,o,s,,s ard c;,ics in Maine ,rere Tins yis;,ed
~ ;,'.,,oot,,I h., ,ha Soora,,r,, ,,ro,,na
has rs ,b;r,,.on of ,,bich a,a g;ven in The
-, rha n,r,,oso oe ,his ;ns,,act;on ,.as
:, honhto one 70 Ie,rn what are the nrev,iI-
a -; ~ ~ 1,'',.;o,,;"' ,,,',..a,o-;r,;a.
"s "F ~ Va 10, |
sh.a 49,, ,,,;na,inns ara maJo in ono
gestions which would add to the healthfulness
of these buildings. In cases where com