The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-02-15
TO STAMP OUT INFECTION.
The City TO Exercise More Care in
CONTAGIOUS Diseases.


Diphtheria That Cannot Be Thor
oughIy Disinfected-A Reward of
$3.50 offered for Murderer Smalls'
Capture-The Mayor to Appeal to tbs
Governor for a Reward by the State.
The most important action taken by the
city council last night was in reference to
the disinfection of clothing and furniture
which have been exposed to infectious
and contagious diseases, and providing
that the city shall pay for property de-
stroyed by order Of the health depart
ment.
A reward Of $3.50 was passed for the
apprehension OF Smalls, the murderer of
Officer Neve, and a committee was ap-
pointed to take charge of a public sub
scription for the benefit Of the murdered
policeman's family.
Mr. J. F. Guilmartin produced a stir by
his petition to know if the goods and house
hold articles at No. Ill Waldburg street
had been disinfected to such an extent
that he would be warranted in removing
and disposing of them by sale or other
wise. Two of Mr.. Guilmartins children
died of diphtheria in the house last
month. He has been notified by the land
lord to remove his things. Mr.. Guilmar-
tin said that he did not consider the
house had been properly disinfected, the
carpets on the floors and other articles
not having been taken up for disin-
lection.
The case was looked into at once by the
council, and Mr.. Guilmartin was called
upon to make a statement He said that
he had information that the carpets of
the upper and lower hall and stairway
would not be fumigated. He met the in
spector at the house after he had finished
his work, and was told by him
that he had not touched the carpets.
He said they had not been destroyed nor
was there any appearance of injury, as he
had been informed was the usual result
after disinfection.
DANGER NOT REMOVED.
His physician, he said, had told him
that the whole house was infected. There
had been four cases Of diptheria in it.
The vOmit and expectoration of the chill
dren, had, no doubt been carried.through-
out the house on the shoes and dresses of
the nurses, the stairway being especially
liable to infection in this manner.
Mr.. Guilmartin said that he did not propose
TO take the things to his new residence,
and he wanted to know if he would be
warranted in disposing of them TO other
persons. The value of his goods MIR.
Guilmartin said, was about 81 900. All
bedding and clothing now used by his
family are new and he did not wish to
expose them TO infection, even to the
extent of going into the house where the
disinfected articles are.
DR.. Drummer was called upon He said
that there were five rooms infected
in the house. The inspectors
had done the best they could
with the apparatus at hand Sulphur
dioxide was used in the rooms.
QUESTION OF COST.
DR. Drummer said that he was given to
understand that it would cost the city
81, coo if the articles were destroyed, and
he did not wish 10 incur such an expense
If it were possible to avoid it. Lower
estimates had, however, since been made
by the owners. He had had two carpets
taken up and hung on chairs while sui
phur gas was burned in the room. He
had been informed, DIR. Drummer said,
by MIR. Elton, the landlord, that the car
pets would be burned. DR.. Drummer
said that the health department did not
have theapparatus necessary for thorough
disinfection. The carpets, he said, should
be destroyed and so should some of the
textile fabrics belonging to Mr.. Guilmar-
tin. DIR. Drummer said that in such cases
heretofore, the articles had been de-
stroyed, but he had hesitated TO incur an
expense of $1,000
ALDERMAN CHARLTON'S VIEWS.
The questioned was discussed at some
length by the board. Alderman Charl-
ton spoke very plainly. eve have dealt
SSo sa Rn'h 1f in the 'eoR oisy %iI
let it be understood that articles
which are destroyed on account of infec-
tious diseases will be paid for, then the
infected articles will be destroyed. The
health officer should be provided with the
necessary appliances for properly con-
Quoting his department. What does it
matter if the city does have to pay few
thousand dollars for the destruction of
articles If we can stamp out diptheria
and other infectious diseasesl We have
been entirely too niggardly in dealing
with these matters"
MIR. Gnilmartin said that he had esti-
mated the cost of the articles necessary
to be destroyed, at 5000 but was willing
TO divide the COST with the city.
TO DESTROY THE GOODS.
Alderman Dixon moved that the health
officer be instructed TO go TO the house
and destroy the articles, which, in his
judgment should be destroyed
Alderman Mcmillan said that he wished
it understood that as far as he was con-
cerned, Mr.. Elton and MIR. Guilmartiu
would be treated just as men of less
means had been, whose petition for re-
enumeration of articles destroyed by the
health officer had been refused.
Alderman Dlxon's resolution was
adopted.
MIR. Guilmartin gave notice that he
would take $500 for the property which
was to be destroyed. but that if this offer
was not accepted he would fight to secure
the full value.
The result of the discussion precipi.
tated by the petition is that the council
has at last decided to properly equip the
health department with portable steam
disinfecting chamber, which has beer
urged by DR.. Drummer for several years A
resolution was introduced by Alderman
Harris, authorizing the health officer tc
ascertain the cost of the apparatus fol
use by the health department.
Alderman Mcmillan urged that the
council go little faster He wanted the
health officer authorized TO purchase
machine al once He suggested that bids
be advertised for.
Alderman Haines said that Dr. Brun
ner had all the necessary information
After some amendments, tending b
hasten the purchase of the apparatus
the resolution was passed.
SUBSCRIPTION FOR NEvE's FAMILY.
A resolution was introduced by Alder
man Haines authorizing the mayor to ap
point committee of six, two members o
the board of aldermen and four from tbi