The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1895-10-15

demic of cholera coming in from Homo
lulu. l think the people of California
would have a right to expect that the
State Board of Health would do more
than give advice if in its judgment it be-
came necessary to act.
And the health of all towns below
Red Bluff is endangered through the
pollution of the Sacramento by The sew
age OF that town, l think the State Board
of Health has powers to suppress the nui-
sance if it chooses 80 to do.
In further support of my opinion l
quote from the statutes OF California,
1891, III which we fnd the following:
IAN Act to create the Office of Attorney
for the State Board OF Health and the
Board of Health of the City and County of
san Francisco.
Section l. The Office of Attorney for
the State Board of Health is
hereby created.
Section ,. 1t shall be the duty OF such
attorney to act for and represent the
State Board of Health in all
legal matters which may require their
attention at such Boards of Health aud
to specially represent and act for and III
cooperation with said Boards of Health
when required by them in the prevention
OF ali acts and things which, in the iudg-
ment OF said Boards of Health. or either
of them. may have tendency to be
O6tF!lll5Qt3l 10 iue people OF ll0 ISLAt6.
This quotation confirms me III the opln-
ion that we have right to expect your
board to do what may be necessary TO
prevent Red Bluff and Folsom Prison
from polluting the water supply of Colusa
and Sacramento. Please let me hear from
you. for l am disposed to see il the nuis-
ance cannot be abated by some means.
Resp pectlully,
JOSEPH S. WEST, NJ. D..
Health Officer ColuSa
DR.. Laine said the board had no power
to act in maritime matters, reference TO
which was occasioned by DR.. West call
ing attention TO the prevalence of cholera
in Honolulu.
Dr. Lame stated that he had informed
DIR. West that he had requested George
A. Knight, the attorney for the State
Board OF Health, to enjOln the Warden OF
the Folsom Prison from allowing the
sewage OF the prison to be deposited in
the American River. Nothing, however,
he said, was done in the matter by the al
torney. The doctor also said that be
thought the District Attorneys OF the
counties bordering on the rivers should
take steps TO prosecute persons guilty Of
polIuting the streams.
DR.. Anderson said the pollution of
streams Is injurious to the Common
wealth.
DR.. Laine suggested that he be instruct
AID, with a view 70 ascertalning who is
the attorney for the board, so that the
powers OF the board could be established
concerning the prevention Of poiu ton Of
the rivers OF the State.
On motion OF DR.. Wizard, the Secretary
was instructed to do so.
DR.. Anderson said that take for ex-
ample that in the event OF the Sacramento
Valley being visited with the cholera,
and tne river IS allowed TO loo polluted
the epidemic here would be great.
communication was read from John
+. Forward. Recorder of San Diego
County, stating that births and deaths
had not been recorded there by those
whose duty it was 10 DO so.
Or. Lame said that Sacramento and
other counties have failed to send in their
reports 10 him. He was instructed 10
refer the matter to the attorney for the
board.
The Secretary also stated that he had
been Informed that there Is no Health
Officer for San Mateo County. This was
also referred 10 the attorney Tor the board.
DR.. Anderson said the attorney for the
board should be present at every meet
ing.
President J. II. Davisson reported that
he had discontinued the quarantine along
the line OF the Southern Pacific in the
southern part OF the state.
Dr.. Anderson said that on numerous oc-
casions his attention had been callod to
the impure water supplied to several of
the State institutions. The State An
alyst, the doctor said, announces that
he is willing to perform his duty in this
respect. but that he is unable to do 80
without compensation. There being no
appropriation for such a purpose. there
fore there is no way III which the water
supplied TO the State institutions can be
analyzed. The 5000 which the State An
alyst says would be required TO do the
work could not be expended to better
purpose, said DR.. Anderson.
DIR. Ruggles said that the importance of
the question cannot be undereslimated
but :he funds at the disposal OF the board
would not admit of such an expenditure
He thought that if the question was
properly presented TO the State Board of
Of Examiners they would allow a claim
for work of that Kind performed.
On motion OF DR.. Nutting the Secretary
was instructed to recommend to the varl-
Gus State institutions that the water which
they use be analyZed.
After postponlng the inspection of State
institutions until next January, the board
adjourned.