The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-12-02
THE CONDEMNED SCHOOLS
DR.. Hart Says the Board Of Health
Only Desires to Protect
the Pupils,

| DR.. Hart Says the Board Of Health
Only Desires to Protect
the Pupils.
The. following is from an interview with
DR.. Henry H. Hart, member of the
Board of Health:
1t is the in tention of the Board of Health tc
keep the schools closed that were condemned
| at previous meeting and il is also the
intentlSn of the board to condemn all public
| and private schools that are in an unsanitary
condition.
The very fact that new planking was pu,
down in the Everett and Mission Grammar
and the Marshall Primary schools after being
ordered done by the Board of Health is an
admission on the part of the Board of Educa-
| ton that it was rotten and not fit for
| further use and dangerous to health and life
otherwise the work would be LETT undone
| 1t is not the intention of the Board of Health
| to make war with the Board of Education, but
'we are battling with one of the most terrible
| diseases that the human family can be afflicted
with-dfphtheria. The Board OF Health does
| not wish to convey the idea that an epidemic
of diphtheria exists in this City, but we do
| know that it prevails in the portion of the
| Mission in which the above-named schools are
located.
Within the past sixty days nearly 100 cases
OF diphtheria have been reported to the Health
| Office, followed by number OF deaths OF inno-
cent children.
A large proportion of cases have been
traced to the schools, and under the circum-
stances the health authorities have taken the
matter in hanu, not to create hardship on
the people, but to protect the innocent chill
dread disease. AS health officers 1t is our
duty to look after the sanitary affairs OF this
City. That our public schools are in an
unsanitary condition is a. well-known fact,
and year ago the Board of Education prom
ised to place them in a sanitary condition, but
have failed to do SO.
should think it the duty of the members OF
the Board OF Education to work hand in hand
with the Board OF Health in this matter.
Most of them are men OF families and we do
not know where the blow may fall next.
The Board of Education are now willing to
modify the form of plumbing that exists. They
are willing to have a greater flow of water
into the closets, but this is not considered by
experts as sanitary plumbing: Again the
admit that there is something radically
wrong, for why do they want to make any
changes at all In the plumbing If II was not
absolutely necessary Tor the welfare OF the
school children and teachers7
Ny opinion is that the BoarG of Health has
absolute power in this matter and ali other
matters pertaining to the health of San Fran
cisco. The people look to the health authori-
ties for protection against epldemics, and now
that we have so many cases OF diphtheria in
the neighborhood above men toned we warn
them TO keep their children from such schools
as are condemned by the Board of Health, and
have them return when the schools are de-
clare by the Health Officer as being in q sani-
tary condition.
The people who are taxpayers have right
to demand of the city authorities sanitary
schools, as two thirds OF a childhood's life is
spent al school.
We have no objection for the school board,
or in fact, any individual to test the power
and right of the Board of Health.
The present Board of Health have labored
night and day for the welfare OF the people
and the City; our work is voluntary; no re-
muneration is received; we expect none; but
while we are in Office it is our intention TO
devote our every energy to elevate the health
standard of one of the most beautiful cities
in the world.
1t is our intention, If possible. to cleanse
this City from one end to another, which will
include public as we'll as private institutions,
the rich as well, as the poor. 1t is for the peo-
pie that we act; they expectit.