St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1890-02-04
KILvINCTON'S LATEST
The Board of Health Is to EX-
tend It's JuPisdie-
tion,
And Require That Infectious
Diseases Shall Be Re-
ported.
Presbyterian Ministers Again
Tackle the Hypoeritical
Administration.
Happy Termination of a Ro-
mantle Wedding---Secre-
tary Hall Still Lives.

DR.. s. S. Kilvington has taken an
other new departure, which will result
in bringing the fact again into promi-
nence that Minneapolis has both COM
missioner of health and a board of
health. 1t was noted recently III the
papers that the board had Suddenly
adopted star-chamber sessions, and in
spite of prOtestations to the contrary, it
was apparent to the repOrterial mind
that there was ''hen on" figuratiyely
speaking. The matter which necessitated
consultations behind closed doors has
finally become known. The board has
decided to extend its jurisdiction and
take cogniZance of certain class of
disease-breeding sources that have been
perhaps quite as prolific of sickness and
bodily ailments as any other. =
Yesterday the following notice, which
explains both the reason and need of its
issuance without further elaboration,
was served upon the keepers of houses
OF prostitution and resorts for assigna-
ton:
The last session of the legislature of the
state of Minnesota enacted a law making it
my duty, in connection with the department
OF health. to take measures TO prevent the
spread of infectious and contagious diserses,
partm4nt of health in the city of
Minneapolis. This department has passed
regulation regarding this matter, marked
copy OF which euclose, and to which call
your attention.
In view of these provisions / hereby order
you to report to me any and all cases Of such
diseases in your house, or within your
~ inTlara hn
known to you, in order that steps
may be taken to prevent the spread of the
same. Included in the terms infectious or
contagious diseases are what are commonly
termed private diseases and the purpose
OF this communication is to especially call
your attention to these private diseases and
TO your duty i'll regard to them. and also to
inform you that the above mentioned laws
will be rigidly enforced by this department.
By order of S. s. KILvINGToN, NJ. d.,
Commissioner of Health.
The method of dealing with the social
evil adopted by the present administra-
ton of Minneapolis is practically that of
license. and the action taken by the
board of health is but another step in
the direction of the adoption of the sys-
tenn of police surveillance and medical
inspection which is in vogue in st.
Louis, New Orleans, in this country,
and in Paris and Berlin and other popu-
lOus cities of Europe.
PHYSICIANS ARE ALSO,
it is said, to be required to report all
cases of infectious and contagious dis
eases to the health officer, but. the en-
forcemenU OF this branch of the plan
has been postponed for the present, and
will probably awaken bitter opposition
from the medical fraternity.
A SURPRISE ALL AROUND.
DIR. Brazle, chairman of the standing
committee on health and hospitals of
the city council, was visited by GLOBE
reporter last night. He protested pro
found ignorance on the subject. I'VE
have talked this matter over at meetings
of the board" said the chairman, ''but
nothing very definite was determined"
eff the board of health intends to take
cOgniZance of these diseases won't it re-
quire every physician under whose no
tlce case comes to report it to the health
office, just as he is now required tie re-
port eases OF diphtheria, typhoid fever
and like diSOrderS?"
Il guess it would. | haven't thought
of that though. You had better see Dr..
Kilvington. Tell him that as far as |
am concerned he can talk freely to you
about this matter"
WHAT KILVINGToN SAYS.
DR.. kilylngtOn was found attired in
his usual smile, cigar smoker and large
diamond.
SIS it true, DOCTOR" inquired the re-
porter, THAT the board of health pro-
pose to exercise surveillance over
what are called infectious diseases, and
that you have already issued circular
with that end in view?"
''Bosh!' exclaimed the official. "Who
told you that? Why, it's preposterous.
No, there is nothing in it. What put
that into your head, anyhow"
'Well, the story is on the street."
Yes, and some day some one will
start the yarn that am an angel, but
| nobody will believe it," he replied inn
patiently.
In spite OF the health officers denial
the fact remains that the above circular
letter emaated from the health office, as
it is written on an official letter head and
bears the seal of the board of health of
the city of Minneapolis. The receipt of
the circular by the women who oc-
cupy the houses on First street
and other parts of the city, and
by ''roomers" in the blocks
created CONSERVATION, and many of the
'landladieS" denOunce the proposed
surveilancel in emphatic terms. In
speaking of the matter last night one
of them said: ''Dr. KilvingtoE wanted
US to subscribe towards a hospital
where the girls could be taken when
they got sick. Several of the
landladieS met and talked the
matter over, but every one at
the meeting was opposed to the plan,
and they all declared that if any of their
boarders were taken sick they would be
well cared for without going TO hos
pital." Another woman said: II sup
pose we will have to submit. Now,
yrn how fIn nh of 81
going into court voluntarily
and paying fine, or of
having our houses pulled by the po-
lice. 1t isn't right, and the board of
health has no business with US. All
the business transactions we have with
the city we do through the police de-
partment. We pay for protection, and
we ought to have it"
Section l6 of the rules and regulations
| of the health department, under which
| it is claimed the board has authority to
act in cases of this kind, reads:
1t shall be the duty of any person who may
| know of any case Of contagious or infectious
disease within said city, which he shall have
| reason to believe has not been reported to
| the department of health to report immedi-
| ately to the said department the name, if
| known, and place of residence of the person
| affected with such disease, together with a
| statement of the name and nature of his or
| her disease.
| Any violation of the rules of the health de.
| partment is punishable by fine of from $40
! TO 500 and the cost of prosecution.