The morning call., 1892-05-15
HATS ON AT FUNERALS.
Recommended by Two Boards Of
Health on Sanitary Grounds.
a Sensible Document on the Subject Issued
to the Clergy and Secret Societies of the
state-Talmage and Depaw.

A few days since Captain George A.
Raabe, who for some time past has done all
In his power TO bring about reform in the
custom of removing hats at funerals, as de-
tailed In The CALL a few weeks ago,
received letter from j. Steppacher, sec
rotary of the San Francisco Board Of
Health, and of this the following is copy :
George A. Rddbe, San Francisco, Cdl.-DEAR
SIR: i beg TO inform you that at conference be-
tween tile State Board Of Health and the San
Francisco Board OF HEALTH held In this Office to
consider sanitary measures, your circular relat-
ing TO the removal of bats at funerals was read
On motion the conference recommended that
the custom Of removing hats at funerals during
the service at the grave be abolished In the In.
terest OF health.
Yesterday the captain received another
document, this onefrom j. r. Lame, NJ. D.,
secretary of the State Board of Health. 1t
is entitled Circular No. 3, preventive
disease series: The dangers arising from
taking off the hat out of doors during fu-
neral ser vices. Addressed to clerical pro-
fession and officers of secret, fraternal and
beneficiary societies of California. Pub
lished by authority of the California State
Board of Health"
The document, which is signed ". q.
Cochran, NJ. D., president, and j. +. Lame.
NJ. D., secretary, commences with the fol
lowing paragraph:
The frequency OF reported cases of severe Ill.
ness, and sometimes death, traeeable to the re-
mOya of the hat at funerals, has determined the
California Stale Board of H alth 10 address the
reverend clergy and the officers OF secret, fra
teTnal and beneficiary societies throughout the
State respectfully directing their attention to The
serious consequences which not inffequently
follow the observance OF the custom during The
prevalence OF Indictment weather or under the
rays Of hot summer sun.
The document then calls attention at
length to the use OF the hat and to head
coverings and the benefits, and then has the
following:
Since the prevalence OF la grippe the risk OF
out.of.dOor exposure has multiplied. Many
cases of Illness and not a few deaths have been
noted from this cause The most common occa-
sions of danger have been during attendance on
funerals, either as pail bearers or mourners. In
well.c0nducted funerals undertakers nowadays
frequently furnish skulicaps 10 be worn by pail
bearers. All rejecting persons VIII
agree that 1t requires stretch Of the magma
lion 10 detect The difference in The eff
feet between the wearing OF an ordinary
hat and the wearing Of skullcap
on such occasions. Barring the head at funerals
Is mere convention that serves no useful cere-
monious purpose. Wearing skullcap Is no
compromise; IL Is a surrender. The custom OF
taking of The bat In wet or cold or stormy
weather while The remains are carried from the
home 10 the hearse, or from the heaFse 10 the
chapel or lodgeroom, and again when the last
sad rites are performed at the grave. Is ght
with danger. Ten, fifteen and twenty minutes
are not unfTeauenIly consumed. during which
while chill wind laden with damp dimlnisheS
the vital resistance of the weak and lays the
foundation for a decline.
The document concludes as follows:
The intelligent aud masterfu influence Of the
ministry aud chief officers OF lodges aud soci-
cites having the burial In charge may be exer-
cised In the benehcent advice 10 remain GOV.
cred, and avoid discomfort and danger. This
can be done with neither injury nor disrespeet
TO the dead, but with great kindness and benefit
to The llylng-speaking with authority, and
themselves setting the example by remaining
covered, they administer comfort, relief and
protection, aud certainly less apprehension for
The results OF the necessary exposure incidental
to the interment. That the efforts 10
prevent disease shall at least equal, II it does
not exceed the art OF cure, Is oneof the possible
trinmphs Of modern civilization.
The agitator Of this movement feels quite
proud that his efforts have been seconded to
the extent above mentioned. and he is also
happy IN the knowledge that Rev. DR..
Talmage and Mr. Chauneey NJ. Depew, to
each OF whom he sent one of his circulars.
have taken up the subject aud that each
has made an address on the subject and
fav0ring the ideas he has set forth.
The proposition Captain Raabe has ad-
yanced is a sensible one that will be of the