The evening times., 1895-11-18
PROTECTION OF HEALTH
Or. Woodward Would Make Wash
ington a Model City.
CALLS FOR MORE ASSISTANTS
His Estimate Includes New Labor
atory and a Bactcriologlst and Dairy
Observation-Disclosures and Scarlet
Fever SiguS Must BE Allowed TO Re
main Up 4 fter Death or Recovery.

The health department of the District,
| heretofore but partially provided with force
and means for the dischargeof its functions,
is nevertheless from year to year adding to
its facilities, and If the suggestions made
by DR.. Woodward and approved by the
Commissioners are Sanctioned by Congress,
the equipment will he much nearer 4 realiza-
tion of the modern ideas than ever.
The smallpox hospital and dsinfcctant
plant, respectively, are now assured, and the
hospital for minor contagious diseases is In
view, while the garbage question is prac-
ticaiiy settled. for the coming five years
at least.
The recommendations made for 1887 as
forwarded 10 the Secretary of the Treas
ury, contain Il provision for a number of
new health office appointments, the more
important being n chicfinspcctor at 81 800
per annum. who shall be 4 practical chem-
ist and charged with the duty of inspecting
dairy products; nine additional inspectors,
at 81 200 each, for food products; one sani-
tary and food Inspector, at 81 800. one as.
sistant to chemist, at $500 and two sani-
tary and food inspectors, who shall be vet
erinary surgeons and serve as inspectors
of live stock and dairy farms one ut $500,
the other at 81 800.
ADDITIONAL CLERKS.
In addition provision is made for the
appointment OF four clerks, two of whom
may serve upon requirement as sanitary
and food inspectors: two medical sanitary
inspectors, one bactcriolOgist and one
skilled assistant 10 bactcriologist: force
l..t.-
necessary for the establishment, and an
item OF 81 600 for fitting up laboratory
and other incidcntals.
There was also an item OF $4,000 for
the purchase of site and construction
of building TO be used rs an isolation
hospital, where minor contagious dis
eases may be treated, but il was with
drawn, the object being, it is understood,
10 have 4 special bill introduced, II deemed
advisable.
The need OF complete laboratory has
been frequently commented upon by DIR.
Woodward, and the advantages of such an
csta biiShmcnt pointed out. one OF the
chief arguments is where cstlgation
of Il death would develop grounds for sus-
piCion OF poison, either self administered
or by Others for the commission Of murder.
The absence of proper facilities was but
Recently Il source Of embarrassment and
future instances may not be rare.
The purpose of the health officer is 10
rigidly apply the law with reference 10 the
sale of milk and other dairy products, and
toprovide ample means for the proper super
vision of food supplies generally, hence
the necessity for an increase i'll the force
of inspectors.
WARNING SIGNS.
Among the regulations presented under
the act approved December 20, 1890,
for the prevention and spread of contagious,
and which are specially applicable at this
time, are that the warning sign shall remain
on premises in which there is Il case OF
scarlet fever for a period of not less than
three days after complete recovery. as
certified by the attending physician. and
i'll case OF dphtIeria period OF not less
than four weeks from the complete disap-
pcardncc OF the membrane, and in no case
Will the sign be removed before the PREM
ises have been disin fcctcd. In case Of death
the sign SHALL remain for a period of not less
than seven days from the date of dccease.
The householder, as well as t,,e physi-
clan in attendance, are cha rged with the
duty of promptly Reporting the removal
OF the sign at any time within those periods
and tile physician must also report whether
or not other children of the same family
or in the same building where there has
school.
Children are not perniiitet, TO return to
school from infected premises, except upon
OF a proper certificate from
the health officer.
All children suffering from either diph-
liberia or scarlet fever shall bc isolated i'll
rooms as far removed a. possible from those
occupied by other persons. and no persons
except physicians, examining official and
nurses shall lie admitted to the sick room.
DIsiNFECTION AND ISOLATION.
Needless clothing. carpets. drapery and
other materials likely TO harbor the poi
sons of the diseases must be removed from
The sick chamber, and dishes. spoons. wash
rags. combs and brushes used therein shall
not he used in any other part Of the house.
md soilcd bed and body linen niust be i'm
placed in a vessel of water con
tanning Il solution of acid bi-chioride OF
mercury. or other suitable disinfectant.
Persons recovering from either diphtberia
)r scarlet fever shall be cons sidered dan
,erous." and shall not be permitted to
cave the sick-roOnl, 10 associate with others, |
o attend school. church or any public as |
euIbly until adjudged to be SO far rccov- |
red as 10 he not liable TO disseminate the |
,ontagion.
Clothing. bedding. carpets and other tex |
lie fabrics, which have been exposed to |
he con;agiou. shall he either burned, cN- |
,osed to super heated steam, thoroughly |
,oiled or soaked for two hours in n soiu- /
ion containing the proper quantity of bi- |
hloride OF mercury.
1t is against the law for any one to inter |
ere with or obstruct the entrance. inspec- |
ion and examination of any building by |
he health inspector, where either scarlet |
ever or diphtheria is reported to be.