Delaware gazette and state journal., 1895-12-19
STATE SANITARY CONDITION
A Full Report at the Board OF
Health Meeting.
ANTl-TOxlNE ALSO DISCUSSED
Government Manufacture OF
the Serum Advocated.
Secretary Frazer Gives Details CONCERNING
His Visits in the state Towns During the
Past Half Year-Generai Health Condi-
tions Good throughout Delaware.

Tuesday afternoons meeting Of the
State Board OF Hoalth was Of unusual
interest.
Dr. Vallandigham spoke at length
concerning anti-toxine and its effective
ness. The serum is a sure cure for
diphtheria il given within three days,
but many people are prevented from
using it when symptoms of the disease
appear, on account OF its cost. DIR.
Vallandigham stated in his remarks
that he was in favor of petitioning
Congress to set apart a eortain portion
of the annual State appropriation for
agricultural purposes TO he used in the
production of anti -toxine, and il such
provision should be made it could be
dispensed to sufferers free or at a mini.
mum cost, according to circumstances.
Ho was requested to look further into
the matter and make a full report in
writing at the next meeting.
Secretary Frazer read his report for
the six months. 1t was quite full and
showed the health conditions all over
the State. During the six months he
visited nearly every town of any conee-
quence in the State. The substance Of
the report follows: At Lewes, Seaford
and Townsend offensive hog pens were
found and reported to the local boards
of health. Good sanitary conditions
prevailed at Little Creek and Leipsic.
Several nuisances were found. at Della
ware City and Milford, and the proper
steps were taken and in each case the
trouble was abated. At Milford it was
necessary to lay the law down to the
offending parties before they would
take any notice of the mandates of the
secretary. The sanitary condition of
Laurel and Scaford was found to be
good. At the public school in the
latter town a number of pupils were
found to be suffering from ailments Of
the eyes, and on the Recommendation
of the secretary curtains were ordered
for the windows. AT Delaware City
the same recommendation was made.
An offensive hog pen was found in Sea-
ford and the proper action was taken
concerning it. The condition of things
at Harrington and Georgetown is good.
Tho almshouse was reported in exeel-
lent condition, there being no ground
for any complaint, but the same could
not be said of the Jail. Both institu-
tions are at Georgetown. The Jail, in
which six negroes and two white men
were confined at the time Of the visit,
was found to be in deplorable condi-
tiop. The cells vera foul and dirty
and the premises generally were very
unhealthy. AT Smyrna sanitary mat
ters are looked after by an active board
of health, and there was no fault to
find, except that the abandoned wells
are likely to prove dangerous to the
citizens from the fact that they are
being filled with foul matter, which,
the report states. is likely 10 contami-
nate the origin of the towns drink
ing water. A recommendation was
made that ono OF the wells be cleansed
and four bushels of salt be poured in,
the idea being to ascertain whether any
of the water therein finally gets to the
water used for drinking purposes The
secretary addressed a meeting of the
Smyrna board and told them the law,
and it was learned that after the first
of the new year all pig pens within the
town limits will be condemned as nui-
sances and must be abandoned Dover,
ii is understood, will take a similar
step. The sanitary condition of New
Castle ia fair, but the drinking water
is not Of the best, from health stand
point, and, according to two resident
physicians disease is liable to originate
therefrom at any time. The recom-
mendation was made that the water
should be analysed. Tho condition OF
Dobbinsvile, suburb of New Castle,
is oleplorable. The houses in which the
Huns live are, in the main, con-
demned, and recommendation is made
that steps be taken toward some i'm
provement in that direction.
At New Castle the Jail was also visit
ed and the sentiments of the secretary
are embodied in the following report,
which was made by the committee ap-
pointed to visit the prison; "Youl
committee appointed to visit the jail
would respectfully report that they in
spected it on December 3D., 1895, and
are pleased to say that the place is
unusually clean and the 140 prisoners
confined there are in good health. The
sanitary condition throughout the
building is good and there is nothing
to complain of. - Tho inspecting com.
mittee included Drs. Lowber and Pier
son and Secretary Frazer. The secre,
tary, in his report, states that nc
disease ever broke out in the Jail. He
was well pleased with what ho found
there and was OF the opinion that the
prisoners who were confined there were
only receiving their just deserts.
Reports were also read from resident
physicians in Al towns giving tho sani
tary conditions in the localities il
which they reside.
Secretary Frazer was made mem.
ber of the National Confederation oi
Medical Examining and Liconsina
Boards, which has headquarters il
Springfield, Ill.
Drs. Lowber and Pierson and Secre
tary Frazer were appointed u committee
to examine the county and city regis
tration Of vital statistics.