The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-21

For years the health authorities OF Ten
nessee have been endeavoring to have the
Legislature enact law to facilitate them
in collecting full and vital statistics.
Their efforts in that direction still con-
tinuc, as the following correspondence
will show: Hsf.Sa
OFFICE STATE BOARD OF HEALTH,
NASHVILLE, Tenn, March u.s. 1889 J
D. r. Hadden Boarl Of Health, Memphis, Tenn
Dear Sir--The State Medical Society,
through able committees memorlallzed,
without success, the Legislatures in 1913,
1854, 1860 and 1864, urging the import
ance OF enacting Il law requiring the regis
tralon OF births, marriages and deaths in
Tennessee. and the State Board OF Health
have pressed tins same subject upon the
attention OF the several Legislatures which
have convened since 1877, with the result
OF only once getting such II law passed
1881.
This. upon trivial technicality, was re-
pealed in 1888.
Now the daily value and far reaching
importance Of such law Is painfully aD-
parent to every health officer desiring to
do his full duty. For with the careful
collection of such data he IL supplied an
index by which the result OF his labors
! are accurately gwen. and by which lac is
enabled 30 definitely locate the ward or
! civil district which most needs his aten-
| ton, aud in hundred other ways would
aid him in the intelligent prosecution NJ
his difficult work. To the busy practi-
toner II supplies specific facts upon which
he may reason, either Mt the bedside or IN
the preparation of a medical essay, with
mathematical accuracy.
Upon the assembling OF the present
Legislature this bill was again introduced,
and In both Houses It has passed two read
ings, and upon the unanimous recon-
incubation OF the Sanitary Committees oil
both Houses IL was placed upon the calen'
dur for final passage.
Upon the l2th inst, for the want OF proper
information upon the partol members, aud
not receiving any expression oil opinion
regarding the measure from home lolks,
the proposed law was voted down. IL II
now before them again under n motion Il
reconsider, and II IL meets your views yot
arc earnestly asked by return mail Ia
write 20 each OF your Representatives and
Senators aud urge them to support the bill
by their votes end influence.
by doing this promptly we may now gel
the law NO long wanted.
Please send me u postal card telling
what you propose TO do, and very greatly
obligc, Very truly yours,
j. ID. PLuNRET,
Chm. Com. on Vital Statistics, Stat,
Board OF Health.
In accordance with the foregoing Presi
dent MADDEN sent the following 10 eacl
member Of the Shelby delegation:
MErnIs. Tenn, March %. 1850 T.
Dear Sir-Dr j. ID. Plunket, Of III,
State Board OF Health, advises me tia
there Is bill now before both Houses
relative 10 the vital statistics OF the State
This bill will come up soon under recon
sidcaiion OF the matter. II Is mcritorons
far reaching in the future for tin
benefit OF the entire State. vii
YOU please give such hill your con
sideration aud earnest support Ten
ncssec IL far behind her sister States In al
matters appcrlaining TO health ordinances
You know how vitality our city Is inlel
eslcd Ia all matters appcrtaining 10 healtl
am, very truly yobu,
DAVID PAX MADDEN.