The record-union., 1894-03-07


action Of the Trustees last night in passing
the Health Officer salary ordinance. That
official action only serves to emphasize
the protest here made and to suggest that
the Trustees retrace their steps at their
next meeting, and repeal an ordinance
which is as unreasonable as it is danger
GUS and inimical to the sanitary interests
of the city,
No intelligence will be quicker to pro-
mote economy in municipal administra-
ton than the RECoRD-UNIoN; but as to
what is true economy is first to be deter
mined. To reduce the salary of the
Health Officer, as proposed by the Board
of Trustees, we submit will be waste and
not economy, and hence we believe that
the Mayors veto of the reduction ordi-
nance ought 10 be sustained.
The new charter combined the offices
of City Physician and Health officer and
made him also Secretary of the Board OF
Health, and imposed upon him besides
duties relative to burials and removal of
bodies heretofore not related to the Office.
Formerly we had three officials doing
these duties, now one must be respon-
sibls for them.
He cannot, therefore. be expected to
properly perform these duties unaided.
Indeed, Section ia of the charter con-
templates, by direct reference to his
deputy" that he shall have assistance,
and for that very reason, among others,
the charter makers, sincere, cautious
men, placed the salary at $1,000. because
the incumbent must pay his deputy out
of his salary. We very much doubt if
one man and deputy can fully fill the
bill. We pay Justices of the Peace $1,000
q year, who have but one duty to per-
form, and have leisure time hanging
heavy on their hands at that.
But here it is required that skilled,
learned, scientific man shall, first, see
that all the health laws and ordinances
are enforced. Second-That any additional
regulations of the Board of Health are car
ried out. Third-Keep a record of all the
proceedings of the Board of Health, and
q statistical record of the mortality in
the city, and report these monthly to the
State Board of Health. Fourth-Issue all
permits for burials and removals of
bodies, and thereby pass upon the COR
rectness and reliability of every certifi-
Fifth-Once a year make san extended
report to the Board of Health of all affairs
pertaining to his Office with full mortuary
Statistics including recommendation
relative to the sanitary condition Of the
city. Sixth-This implies that he must
personally and constantly by inspection
keep himself posted as TO physical condi-
tions of drainage, cleanliness and nui-
sances. He is to receive 'every day" a
report from the Sanitary Inspector, and
if be is conscientious man he must eX-
anime and pass upon it, as the same law
requires him to issue all orders to the
Inspector.
Seventh-He is required Section 175) to
serve all the INDECENT sick or wounded in
the city. Eighth-Have charge of the
Receiving Hospital and dispensary for
the dispensation of medicines to the poor.
Ninth-Once each quarter she must in
spect every public building and school
house," as TO drainage, ventilation. light
ing, heating and general sanitary condi-
ton. Tenth-He must report at any
moment the name and residence Of every
person sick with contagious disease, and
notify the School Superintendent, and
issue certificates for readmission of schol-
ars excluded from school because Of con-
ditions of contagion,
Eleventh-He must visit every house
reported as having contagious disease in
it and after inspection flag" the house
as quarantine warning, and may cause
removal of certain cases 60 the pesthouse.
Twelfth-He must vaccinate free of
He is to have the aid of Sanitary and
Building Inspector who will do under
him much of the work of examining
drains, cesspools. nuisances, etc., but he
is to direct this man and issue to him all
his orders. But how he is to perform
all the duties laid down for him specific
ally, and discharge them faithfully, dill
gently and satisfactorily, night and day,
without the aid of q skilled deputy,
passes comprehension.
Any physician fit for the Office who will
undertake the clerical, dispensary, su-
pervisory, hospital inspection and free
and report work Of the city for S100 q
month, is going to cheat the city. though
he may not think he is doing so. for it is
simply impossible for any one man to
do 1t.
As City Physician he may be called
upon at any moment day or night to at
tend at the Receiving Hospital. He must
make out the supply list for that hospital,
must administer medicines, perform
surgery and direct the hospital attend
ants. Certain hours he must give to the
dispensing of medicines to the poor, and
that he cannot do without examination OF
their cases if he has conscience alive
within him. If he is honest he must post
himself by personal observation as the
sanitary condition of the city and its
xood. fhaf dirootion