Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-02-07
SANITARY MATTERS.
MEETING OF THE FIRST STATE coN-
vENrI0H.
An Address by tho Govsrnor-Psrmansnr
officers Elected-A Paper Read
Delegates Appointed.
Special telegram to tho Dispatch.l

RALEIoH. n. c., February GA State
sanitary convention. the first ever held IN
North Carolins, assembled here TO-DAY, and
was called 10 order by Mayor Alfred A.
Thompson, OF Raleigh. The attendance Is
large.
An address Of welcome was delivered by
Governor Daniel G. Fowle. In the course
oi bis remarks be called attention TO the fact
that quarantine convention was called 10 be
had at Montgomery, Ala, March 9Th, for the
purpose OF adopting certain quarantine regu-
ations for the benefit and protection OF the
southern States. He asked that this c0nyen-
ton designate delegates TO that convention.
The G0Vern0r said he regarded this con-
vention az step IN the right direction. He
feared that the present Legislature would
make no appropriation towards securing
permanency OF this organization, but he
hoped that it would be preserved for at least
two wears, when 1t will be the duty OF legis-
lstion TO assist II ia the great work It has
undertaken.
DR.. Richard II. Lewis, OF Raleigh, ex-
planned the objects OF the convention. He
sketched the advancement OF sanitary science
aud the discovery OF fever germs aud their
propagation. II is the duty OF sanitariaus 10
lay waste their country With fire and food.
and II possible remove these germs from the
face OF the earth, The question 10 be dis
cussed IL the best method OF getting rid OF
the accumulation OF filth. The matter OF pure
drinking water Il something OF the very first
importance. Another matter IL the keeping
away OF cholera and yelIOw-feyer. IL Is Of the
highest importance TO consider the best
means OF establishing effective quarantine.
Tbe most effective work for the sanitarsn
lies In the direction OF solaton-tbe be-
az IN 81 aolnpfo. ~
crobes and preventing their spreading. IL
Is more important for the saLilarian TO take
that direction than it Is to dwell upon filth,
though both are important. All that can be
done to establish legislation for that purpose
must be done. Another matter at the very
foundation Of all saRitarian Is that OF vital
statistics. What IS needed is the develop
mrnt OF public opiuisn that will support the
efforts OF sanitarisn. While physicians
are pioneers asd protectors Of these laws, II
is absolutely impossible for them ever 10
amount TO much unless they are supported
by the public. Too often the latter diStrust
the doctors and their efforts to stamp out dis.
ease.
Upon motion OF DR.. T. +. Wood, Mayor
A. A. Thompson was made permanent
chairman OF the convention; Mayor j. G..
Fowler, Of Wilmington, first vice. president;
W. f. Fountain, OF Tarboro', second vice
president; f. b. Neave, Of Salisbury, thlrd
vice. president; and J. G. Chsse and DIR. Ju-
lian Nj. Baker secretaries. A Committee OF
Ways aud Means was appointed, consisting
OF DR.. John Mcdonald, OF Washington;
oscar Pearssll, OF Wilmington; DR.. +. +.
Wood, OF Wilmington; Or. Eugene Grlssom,
OF Raleigh; Or. Beall. OF Greensboro; Pro-
fessor J. l.. Ludlow, OF Winston; DR.. T. f.
Wood. OF Wilmington; and DR.. K. II. Lewis,
OF Raleigh.
Or. J. w. Jones, president OF the North
Carolina State Board OF Health, read paper
upon the gains Of sanitation.
The convention received special invita-.
tion to visit the North Carolina Insane Asy-
um near the city.
Dr. W. G.. Curtis, OF Southport, read
paper on maritime quarantine.
DR.. Wood said that the quarantine appro-
pration proposed is not for the benefit OF
Wilmington alone, but for the entire State.
lie showed that the quarantine station at
Southport dated from colonial times and
belonged to the State and not 10 Wilmington.
Funds are needed to replace the hospital
there which burned down. The important
part OF the duty OF the quarantine officers is
to prevent panic.
DR.. J. II. Bahnson read paper by DR.. G.
G. Thomas, OF Wilmington, on inland qua
rantine.
rho following delegates to'the Southern
Quarantine Convention at Montgomery, Ais,
March 9th were appointed: Drs. r. q.
Wood, }. II. Bahnson. and J. w. Jones.
Tnis afternoon the state Board Of Health
held meeting, at which DR.. j. W. Jones
presided.