The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-04-06
THE SUCCESS OF ANT|TOx|N
Health Officer Aliens Glowing Ac-
count Of the FIRST Experiment.
WAR AGAINST UNCLEANLINESS
Many Matters Of Importance Treated at
an Interesting Session of tho Board
OF Health Yesterday Afternoon.
Colonel Rippic's Resolutions.

Sosouei hippicS hcsOIutiOus.
Active and important steps were
taken at the meeting OF the board of
health yesterday afternoon In reference
TO sanitary matters affecting the public
health. A resolution was passed at the
previous meeting of the board providing
for the appointment Of chemist who
would make a chemical analysis of the
milk prescribed by Food Inspector
Thomas. Mr.. Thomas dumped large
quantity OF milk into the street. be-
cause. In his judgment, 1t was not fit for
sale. The dealers thus deprived of the
confscated fluid threatened to prose-
cute the board of health, and for this
reason the appointment Of n chemist
was recommended.
Chemist ID. w. Humphrey, of the
South Side, has made tests Of the drink
ing water and he was present to inform
the board relative to the probable cost
of making these analyses. An informal
discussion took place and II was the
unanimous sense OF the board that a
chemist for this purpose ought to be
appointed to sustain the boards officer
in his disposition OF impure milk and
food. But the appointment of a chem
ist was laid over for another meeting.
DIR. w. l.. Allen. health officer of the
board read the following report and Ii
received general commentator. espec-
tally that section OF II that referred TO
the successful test OF antltoXin in a
case of malignant diphtheria.
Report Of Health Officer.
THE cold weather has kept BACK
great deal of work that usually comes
to the board of health at this season of
the year. The streets and courts, with
a few exceptions, are In fair condition.
Scranton street, by reason of the filth
which Is constantly being thrown into
the street and gutter, Is particularly
vile and West Lackawanna avenue is
again sending up It's unholy vernal
odors / do not know how these things
can be remedied. unless officers can
be appointed to watch these citizens(?.
The North Main avenue and Decker's
court sewers have for an outlet the
ravine running from Main avenue to
the dump of the Mount Pleasant col
liery, and through the culvert under
the culm heap, and from there every
thing is distributed through the fields
and Love road until some Of 1t finally
reaches the river. This is certainly a
dangerous affair and should be looked
after. The question of garbage collec-
ton comes to the front now and must
be arranged If such thing is possible.
There is no feasible method in sight,
but l would respectfully suggest that
the board of health ask the assistance
of councils and ask for it now.
Test Made with Antitoxin.
I am glad to be able to state that I
have had an opportunity OF testing
antitoxin in one case during the month.
on March 26 l visited, with DR.. Bern
stein, a boy years old, son of Henry
Hanstien, of Cross street, Tenth ward.
The child had been seriously i'll for five
days; his throat and fauces were cov-
cred wi,r membrane, the windpipe in
vaded and pronounced Group had exist
ed for two days. Breathing was very
difficult, anf the temperature ranged
from 1O4 to l06. There was, / am sure,
no mistake in the diagnosis. DR.. Bern
stein had administered all of the most
reliable remedies, local and constitu-
tional; but every thing pointed to
fatal termination in a very short time.
At / p. m. the antitoxin was infected;
at p. m. the temperature had reduced
to 100, breathing greatly improved, the
child was sleeping quietly, membranes
had loosened from the tonsils. At 8
o'clock the next morning no membrane
was in sight. quite a large quantity Of
1t having been coughed up during the
night. Since then the temperature
has been normal, nothing to be seen In
the throat, no cough, no Group. In
fact, convalescence was established on
the third day, and the child has been
we'll ever since. I am anxiously await
ing another trial.
1t was decided to request Mayor Con-
nell to issue a public proclamation and
have the same printed In the shape Of
posters. tackled up In conspicuous
places throughout the city, ordering the
public at large to cleanse their yards,
cellars and outbuildings and put the
same in proper sanitary condition be-
fore the warm weather approaches.
The following resolution introduced by
Colonel Ripple was unanimously car
ried:
Colonel RippIc's Resolution.
Resolved. That the secretary Of the
board be directed to inform the mayor
and councils of the filthy condition Of
Scranton street and West Lackawanna
avenue; and notify them that the con-
ditlon Of these thoroughfares is a men
ace to the public health and that they
must be cleansed; and as the North
Main avenue and Decker's court sewers
terminate at point several hundred
feet from the river and In consequence
the sewage is distributed over this sur
face, breeding disease, and being an
offense to the public, 1t is resolved that
the drain from the present mouth Of
the sewer be covered or piped to the
river.
1t was recommended that the sani-
tary officer and the member from each
district visit the public schools to in
spect the sanitary condition Of them.
Food Inspector Richard Thomas re-