The record-union., 1891-06-09
Els COURSE APPROVED.
The Board of Health Backs Up DR..
Nichols in His Crusade.
Reports Of the Sanitary and Plumbing
Inspectors-Records of Deaths
Contagious Diseases.

The City Board of Health met last even
ing at DR.. Nichols Office. There were
present Drs. Tyrrell, Bruno, Nichols and
Gardner.
City Physician Nichols submitted his
report showing that he had attended 46
new patients during the past month; pre-
scriptions prepared, 108; visits made to
Receiving Hospital, 16; patients in
County Jail, Is; other outside visits
made, "a.
l.. w. Mahoney, the Plumbing In
spector, reported having received eighteen
new plans and specifications. He re-
jected two of them, and reports that he
has thirty plumbing jobs on hand.
Sanitary and Building Inspector Starr
submitted a lengthy report showing
whore low lots and easements were or
dered filled, and where new cesspools
and vaults were being built.
The board expressed an opinion to the
effect that a sewer was necessary to be
built in the alley between Ninth and
Tenth, L and @ streets.
The report of DIR. Nichols condemning
the sanitary condition of the City Prison
was approved by the board.
DIR. Nichols also showed TO the board
number of placards which he had printed
for the purpose of placing on buildings
where scarlet fever or diphtheria is
prevalent. They are about foot and
half in width and a foot in length. The
color is red and the printing reads: "Con-
tagiOus Disease Notice! Diphtheria for
scarlet feverl in this House! Posted by
order Of the Board of Health.''
The design was approved, but a dis
w r11a arIc
should be placed on a building.
DIR. Bruno said he thought it would
work a great hardship in some cases. For
instance, where there was a case of con-
tagious disease in the rear of place of
business, man would not like to have
the sign posted on the outside of his store.
1t would have the effect Of causing COM
plete shut down of his business.
The other members of the board eX-
pressed their views on the subject, and
were ofthe opinion that the public health
was matter Of more importance than
the benefit of an individual.
1t was the sense of the meeting, how
ever, that the Health Officer use his dis
cretion IN the matter, and endeavor not
TO work a hardship on anybody unless it
was absolutely necessary. 1t was sug-
gested that when a case of contagious dis
ease was discovered in the rear of a store
that the placard be placed on the entrance
the family resided.
An order was passed incorporating the
State law on plumbing into the munic-
ipal regulations. Hereafter plumbers
Will be required to register-both master
and journeyman.
Plumbing Inspector Mahoney reported
that the plumbing in the Sutter Building,
at Fifth and J streets, was in bad sani-
tary condition, and was in need of the at
tentiOn Of q plumber. He also reported
the building on the northwest corner of
Fifth and X street in bad condition from
sanitary standpoint.
DIR. Nichols read an ordinance which
II was proposed to introduce, COM
pelling all parties building wash racks
for vehicles to construct catch basin un-
derneath, four feet in depth, and of the
length and breadth of the rack. Action
on the Endorsement of the ordinance was
laid over until the next meeting.
The Secretary was authorized to re-
model the form Of death certificates now
in use. 1t was stated that the present one
was ambiguous and meaningless in some
respects 1t was also decided that the
Secretary prepare a pamphlet to be cir
culated among the physicians of the city
by which would be established a uni
form nomenclature of diseases.
Before adjourning the Health Officer
called the attention of the board to the Wig
orous methods he had been employing for
enforce the law against uncleanliness, and
stated that he had been made the target
OF much unjust criticism and abuse on
account of it. He was sure that he had
not exceeded his authority in any case.
nor had he permitted any personal
likes or dislikes to influence him.
Still he thought that the board should
take some action, approving or disap-
rowing his course. He hoped they would
not spare his feelings if he was wrong.
and talk right out. He had issued war
rants for the arrest of many prominent
citizens for violating the law against
dumping swill and rubbish into alleys,
and, OF course, great rumpus had been
raised.
DIR. Gardner said he was perfectly salts
fed that the Health Officer was pursuing
the proper course, and moved that his
actions be approved. DR.. Bruno seconded
the motion.
Chairman Tyrrell thought the motion
should go further than this. The Health
Officer should be complimented on the
zeal he had shown, and the citizens
should feel proud of him. OF course,
cranks would kick, he said, but il they
were listened to any longer Sacramento
could never hope to be a clean city.
The motion was then voted for unani-
mously, and the board adjourned to meet
again on the first Monday of next month.