The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1896-02-02

Nefit nj IL ltIt unuOne. inc ordinance
ought to hc changed 40 ms to prohibit TN
dertakers from receiving bodies unless ac-
ccmpanied by n certificate, instead or pro-
hibiting them from intcrrinR, us II now
provides Then the ordinance ought to be
enforced"
DR.. George A. Mcdonnell, who was city
health officer in lsso-9o. was asked about
the matter.
II do not think the amount sufficient"
he replied. In answer to questions. "Thc
ordinance governing the health depart
| ment ought TO be nmepded and the scope
| of authority of the health officer enlarged.
| People ought TO be required to put their
garbage In II certain place and the ordi-
| nanccs on the subject OF sanitation ought
to he rightly enforced. The first and most
| important thing In the consideration Of
| the public health II tho rigid supervision
| of the water supply for drinking and
culinary purposes. Unless II Is absolute
| ~ pure and free from the adinxture with
any impure water 1t ought to be so UNI
derstood and any misrepresentation to the
contrary to the public should not be per-
mitted by the health department Tho
| people ought to know at least what they
are drinking and what risks they are
| taking. The bayou " now almost uhht
| for navigation or for any other purpose.
| in consequence of being the receptacle of
course of time as the city grows 1t VIII
| become absolutely 40. and some other
| means of drainage will have to he ADOPT
| cd. Another source OF disease whiah "
| more local In its character IL Inc intEe
| open city ditch on Calhoun street which
| In my observation for "A number OF years
| has been productive of much sickness
| among families who have had the mis-
fortune to occupy homes contiguous there
| TO- 1t ~ a source Of never ending e&-
pense to the city, and more money rag
| been spent to keep IL open than wouia
have built covered, permanent structure,
| and thereby put an end to n great ahhuhi
| outlay, TINT must continue as long az the
city ditch is permitted to exist In its pres
! ent condition.
"There ought to he an active board OF
| health. who viii be such not only In name.
but In fact, who should be carefully &c
/ lected with a view to their knowledge OF
sanitation. and TO whom all matters per
| tanning 10 the sanitary condition oil the
| city should be referred, and they should
| have full authority to order the fHithful
/ carrying out OF all measures which III
| their opinion might be conducive 10 pup
lie health. The health of the city ~ Oh
more Importance than any other cohsin-
| Grafton II we desire to promote the
growth and prosperity OF the city. we must
be able to show that proper sanitary reg
ulations are enforced and that everything
possible is being done in that direction In
many large cities crematories are In use
for the destruction OF garbage, and nave
always been In favor of their use In this
city. as in that way q large quantity OF
matter ieleterious to public health could
be destroyed and rendered absolutely
harmless There are many other sani-
tary matters which | would be glad TO
DISCUSS but haven't the time just now"
DIR. James NJ. Boyles. who was city
health officer during 1901 was next seen.
''The amount suggested by the mayor
is not very far out Of the way" said DR..
Boyles. besides the health officer. there
ought to be two health Inspectors, whose
aggregate salaries would amount to about
$500 per annum. ten carts at SIS per week
each. making 1850 and two men to flush
the cutters at 5000. - that exclusive OF
medicine furnished and the care OF the