The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-01-31

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prosecution OF its work, u part OF which was
the eradication Of the disease among cattle
known as tuberculosis. Commissioners were
appointed In each county and the examine
ton and killing OF suspected cattle has since
been carried forward earnestly and system
atically. During the year ending Dec.
81, 1875 animals affected with tuber-
culosis have been destroyed. OF this number
Isl were cows, the remainder being calves,
bulls and oxen. During the month OF Noyem-
Der 81 animals were destroyed. all OF them
being found in Providence county. la the
majority of cases the milk Of the tuberculous
COWS destroyed was sent 10 the market up TO
the day of slaughter. IL Is believed that the
owners OF the cows did not know that tie
animals were diseased.
IL has been intimated since the passage OF
this new law by which the owner receives half
the value OF the animal slaughtered and found
10 be suffering from tuberculosis this state
has become a jumping ground for diseased
cattle from the markets OF neighboring states.
III this is the case, IL would seem necessary 10
impose some system OF quarantine, otherwise
the work of wiping out the disease will be pro-
longcd indefinitely and the state put 10 an en-
ormous and unnecessary expense.
The board has also destroyed a number OF
horses affected with CHAMBERS or farcy, but
finds its work In this q Erection greatly limited
by the ins Efficiency OF tue law. An act cover
ing the desired amendments as regards quar-
Z vi III nANA hANNA1'a AbA6'a ~ ~ 80
troduced at this session. and | trust will re-
ceive favorable consideration at your hands.
Agricultural institutes have been held In
compliance with the law 50 far as practicable.
With two exceptions the meetings have been
well attended, and there is little doubt but
what the lectures and addresses have been or
practical benefit To the farmers.
state Board of Health.
The work OF the state board Of health
has been pursued in the usual lines OF SUI
pervision OF the conditions OF the public
health, restriction and suppression OF out
breaks OF contagious aud infectious dis
eases, and the distribution Of literature de-
signed TO inculcate a knowledge OF sani-
tary matters. IL has also conducted an
inve tigatio into the harmful adulteration
Of articles Of diet and the polsons in wall
paper colors. The secretary Of the board re-
ports that the general health OF the state In
lSa2 was somewhat better than the average OF
previous years. aud no disease largely fatal TO
life acquired any really epidemic prevalence.
We were, however, menaced la an unusual de-
gree by the prevalence OF smallpox and
typhus fever in the states adjoining or closely
connected by lines Of transportation with
Rhode Island. In defense of the state against
these diseases, the secretary has been in con-
slant communication with officials OF trans
portation lines, the lie alth authorities OF other
states. and the United States commissioner OF
immigration and other officials.
I again call your attention 10 the urgent
need of "A complete revision OF our health
laws, particularly in the direction or giving
the state board OF health greater jurisdiction
over the sanitary authorities OF the towns and
cities. The act passed ~ the October session,
comforting upon the governor authority 10
proclaim at his discretion IA quarantine OF the
whole or any portion Of the state, was an i'm
portant measure, which, | am happy TO say, IL
has not been necessary TO place m operation.
II should be now supplemented Icy "A law de-
fning the extent of the executives authority
in the premises, prescribing the duty of state
and local health officers under the law,
and providing penalties for its violation.
Provision should also be made for a
contingent fund. TO be used when a
general quarantine is necessary and from
which the Governor should be empowered TO
obtain a sum sufficient for the leasing or pur-
chasing of property to be used as a hospital
where diseased or suspected persons could be
detained. At the time of writing this there Is
little probability of a national quarantine law.
Ii we are not as well prepared 10 impose "A rig
orous quarantine as are the larger states on
either side OF us, when the critical time arrives,
advantage viii be taken of our excellent har-
Dor facilities by those who are shut out from
other ports, and the health and lives of our
citizens will be placed in jeopardy.
The energetic measures that are being
adopted in certain cities for the prevention or
the sale OF adulteratsd milk Will be viewed
with satisfaction. 1t would he well for every
town 10 take advantage of the provisions of
chapter III of the public laws and appoint q
milk inspector who will be vigilant In per-
forming his duty. Unity OF action between
the several milk inspectors would soon lead TO
the suppression of the illegal traffic. At pres
mt the ~violator of the law can escape the
hands OF an officer in pursuit by driving across
the boundary line into a town where there Is
no milk inspector.
Bureau of Industrial Statistics.
During the month of December last a va
cancy was created in the Office of commits
sioner of industrial statistics by the resigna-
ton of the Hon. A. X. Goodwin, and l APP
pointed Henry L. Tiepke of Pawtucket as his
successor. The report Of the commissioner,
which will be submitted TO the general as
sembly during the present session., will contain
the results of an investigation of the building
trades OF the state. Information Will be given
regarding the number OF employees, the wages
paid in the various branches, the number or
hours employed. the time lost and from what
cause, the cost Of living and many other fea-
lures. Abandoned farms have also received
the attention of tle bureau, and the report
will show the number, acreage, assessed Nalue
and estimated ma .ket value. The report will
also contain valuRb school statistics.
fn this connection | wish TO call your atten-
ton to tho report OF the bureau for 1891 con-
AAA4 - I0se
consideration. The report refers TO the prog
ress that the state has made in the past few
years in reducing the number of children en-
ployed and continues: "A still further reduc-
ton can be mad. by fixing the age under
which no child shall be employed in any fac
tory, workshop or mercantile establishment
at 10. This is the age fixed by our sister states,
Massachusetts, and Connecticut, and would
certainly, il adopted in this state, be a step in
advance"
state Board Of Pharmacy.
The state board Of pharmacy informs me
that under the present law regulating the sale
O. medicines and poisons, its right to make a
distinction in issuing certificates. between an
applicant who intends TO keep shop as n bona
nde owner or proprietor, and one who only
propose 10 act as an agent or clerk for parties
not legally qualified 10 conduct a drug store.
Il often questioned. The desirability OF this
distinction i shown by the fact that a certih-
cate a. a registered pharmacist IS often APP
piled for. merely as "A me rs Of conducting
other business undor the guise Of a drug store.
The board reports that there 4. constant viola
ton Of both the spirit and the letter OF the
law. but that IL is most difficult TO prove a
violation. or TO draw a complaint or indict-
ment owing 90 the language of the present
statute. There Is no officer expressly author