Birmingham state herald., 1897-01-12
ELECTION OF OFFICERS.
The Jefferson County Medical Society Elect Officers for Ensuing Year
 Report of Board of Health.

The Jefferson County Medical Society met last night for the election of officers and the transaction of other business. The secretary reported seventy-six pres ent out of a total membership of 104.
 Dr. Ledbetter read the report of the committee on the Aims House. The com mittee reported everything in good shape.
 The following report from the board of health was read:
 To the Jefferson County Medical Society.
 l hereby submit for your consideration report of the work or the committee of health.
 Early in the year your committee began to urge upon the city and county officials the necessity ot providing a suitable pest. house in case of an outbreak of smallpox or other courageous disease.
 The county commissioners looked fa- vorably on the project and voted to join the city in the work. The city agreed to furnish the land, but we could nsver get the work under way. Our health officer went over Red mountain with the mayor and city engineer and a member of the county board of commissioners for the purpose of selecting the place, but no suitable spot could be found on the city's property. The mayor suggested the pur- chasing of some land from the Elyton company, but that was as far as they ever got. The board of health still think that such place should be provided and will continue to urge upon the city and county officials the necessity for it.
 Your committee has been agltating bet ter ventilation of the county jails and. better accommodations for the county poor The subject of providing more suitable accommodation for the poor in7 sane has been under consideration and a committee has been appointed to look into the matter and report back. The county commissioners have been inter viewed and have expressed a willingness to do everything possible to make things comfortable for the unfortunateS of that class. The subject Is still being agitated and we hope in time to bring about some, valuable reforms in the management of this part of the county's affairs.
 Many matters pertaining to city san- itary defects and their corrections have come before your committee and have been duly considered ard acted upon, i.e: Bad sewerage, leaky cellars, the man agenent of the waste matter from the Lem Packing company, the pollution of the stream running through Elyton, etc.
 All the dairies doing business in Bir- rningham have been inspected by the san itary officer and certificates issued to them. to show the degree of cleanliness and care exercised. This was done that a better and more healthful quality of milk might be procured. Make your milkman show you his certificate and you will know what kind of milk you are getting.
 A number of nuisances have been. anated and while the cleanliness of the city of Birmingham and some of the suburban communities is not what it should be. efforts are constantly being made to correct these unsanitary condi- ti0ns.
 Regular monthly meetings have been held where reports have been made by the sanitary officer concerning matters requiring attention. The reports of the health officer have been regularly pre- sented to your committee. These reports nave been well gotten up and show that the health officer has been diligent in the discharge of his duties.
 The public schools, the city and county tails and the county aims house have all been inspected by your committee and reports made in writing. These will be submitted in order.
 Your ec3mmittee, acting as board of examiners, have made the following ex- aminations of applicants for the prac- tice of medicine: Dr. R. c. Bankston, certificate granted Dr. A. S. Scott, cer- tificate granted; Dr. John R. Harris, certificate granted; Dr. B. A. Fox, cer- ti6cate granted pr. Geo. A. Hogan, cer- tiiicate granted; Dr. Hardie Johnston, certificate granted; Dr. Chas. Whelan, Jr., certificate granted pr. J. M. Lasa- ter, certificate refused.
 S. S. LEDBETTER, Secretary
 pr. R. M. Cunningham, the retiring president, delivered an eloquent vale clctoFy. lie SdlQ ne was proud or having been president of the Jefferson County Medical society, the first in the state. Ii now had more members than ever be- fore. He had intended to give banquet on this occasion, but would give one in March The presidency had been to him the greatest honor he ever had. Some of the members were known all over the south. He appreciated the honor, be- cause it can happen to man only once in his life. To be born. to die, to be presi- dent of the Jefferson County Medical so- cety, are the three great eras in a mans life.
 An election for new officers was held and was very spirited. Following is the result
 President-D. F. Talley.
 Vice-President-E. P. Lacy, of Besse- mer.
 Censor-L. G. Woodson.
 Treasurer-Charles Whelan, Jr.
 County Health Officer-J. W. Barclay.
 Dr. Talley, the new president, is a na- tive of Jefferson county, and is about 30 years of age.