The Portland daily press., 1890-03-05

In the month Of September so many re-.
ports of cases Of typhoid fever were made
from section Of the northeast part OF the
city that the Board was convinced that the
drinking water used must be at fault; {;
samples OF spring water used by the fam
lilies In which the cases OF sickness occurred
were. obtained and sent to the State
Board of Health for analysis. Its report
that the analysis indicated unmis-
takably a serious pollution Of the water, led
to recommendation on the part OF this
Board that the further use of the water for
drinking purposes be discontinued, which
was done and no further cases of typhoid
fever have been reported from that section.
The Board has no authority to close such
springs, 1t can only recommend.
The same course with regard to placarding
houses and isolating cases OF diphtheria and
scarlet fever has been pursued as heretofore,
has been confined to the house where 1t orIgi-
mated.
How far we are indebted for this result TO
good fortune and how far to our precautions
it Is not possible. perhaps, definitely to de-
eide, but we shall not relax our efforts to I'M
press upon the public mind that 1t is not a
safe or prudent thing In the diseases men,,
toned to omit to guard every door and ave
nue. through which infection may spread, As
one Of our number has publicly said: 1T Is
peculiar fact that against diseases from
which we are more or less exempt by vacci-
nation or the immunity conferred by q pre-
vious attack, such as small pox, the public
most strenuously demands protection, but In
their evil effects. from which we have not
even partial protection, there Is a
disregard of danger and me-
glect Of preventive measures. This Is no
tably true as regards dIphtheria, and upon
such points as this the people must be en-
lightened. The necessity OF quarantining
and isolating such diseases cannot be too
strongly urged. The great obstacle In the
way of accomplishing the best results Is the
popular indifference which Is born OF igno-
rance.
In order that isolation might be secured
for cases occurring in crowded tenements
where quarantine and isolation are practi
cally impossible, this board has from time to
time recommended the erection by the city
of small isolation ward or pavilion at small
expense, and the burning OF the SMALLPOX
hospital on the city farm seemed to offer a
fitting opportunity for such building TO be
erected. The board accordingly addressed
a communication to the city council submit
ting its views with regard to the needs Of the
city in this regard.
This board az the request Of the city coun-
ell prepared plans and specifications Of such
building as in its opinion would satisfy
the present needs Of the city, and an order
was passed by the council authorizing the
erection of such building. provided that
the expense should not exceed $1,000. Bids
were solicited, by means Of pub
lie advertisement but the proposal
$1,000 and no further action was taken.
We copy here portion of the communities
tion, promising that the board still holds its
previous opinions.
tected, and all cases Of contagious disease
which cannot be properly treated at home
may be adequately cared for, this board ur-
gently recommends that an isolation ward
suitable for the reception Of contagious dis
eases be erected by the authority of the city
couacil. Ii this is done the city Is placed In
a position to protect itself from probable and
possible cases OF contagious and infectious
diseases; II 1t Is not IdOne this board Is at
least free from the responsibility which
would attach to 1t, IL so necessary a recon-
mendation should be omitted to be made.
TENEMENTs AND SHOPS.
Under the provisions of the law the board
may order cellars, rooms, tenements or build
ings occupied as dwelling places to be va
Gated II by reason Of want of cleanliness, or
other cause, they have become unfit for such
purpose and cause OF sickness to the occu-
pants or the public.
There should be a more stringent provis-
ion which should definitely prescribe that no
building or part thereof shall be leased or
let, or used for a dwelling or for any husi-
ness purpose, unless the same shall be suita-
bly, provided with water supply, sinks and
drains. anu Will SultdOl0 pIlfy Vaults OE
water closets.
Our house to house inspection shows that
not only are some Of the poorer tenements
unfurnished with proper sanitary convent
ences, but rooms let for the lighter occupa-
tions, as for tailors, dressmakers, milliners,
etc, etc, situated in blocks owned by large
property holders, are utterly without such
cOnvenences. The results can be readily
imagined, aud the neighbors OF such tenants
can testify to the need Of such law.
SCHOOL HOUSES.
No complaint has been made of the SANTA
ry condition Of any school buildings, with
the exception Of the privy vaults connected
with the North school. OF these the State
Board Of Health said In its report of 1887:
''The whole system OF disposing of excre-
ia Is utterly ab0minable, and should be i'm
mediately abolished"
Nothing has since been done In the way of
Improvement, and as matter of consequence
the premises are worse than they were two
wears ago. III we knew Of any stronger
terms In which to condemn them than are
used above, we should use them. 1t Is dis
grace to the city.
VITAL STATISTICS.
In order that this board may take proper
standing with other boards OF health, ana
that we may have some medium OF exchange
with them, we have begun to issue eacn
four weeks, circular showing the causes OF
death, the prevalence OF GER
tain contagious diseases and other
matters of general interest, when we trust
will be of service to our local physicians and
| others. ,
sist the Board of Health than the physicians,
and we desire to emphasize the readiness
with which this very busy class OF men have
co. operated with us in our efforts to improve
the sanitary condition Of the city, but there
is one way in which they could assist us
greatly. where now we have little Of their
aid.
In the absence Of any law recurring the
collection and record Of mortuary statistics.
we are obliged to depend upon the under.
takers, returns. While they may, as a gen
eral thing, return correctly the causes of
death, they are not always able to get from
either physicians or members Of the family
the correct nomenclature. As a result. when
ever, ever ioI purposes Of pension