The San Francisco call., 1897-12-16
GAS WILL Be
FULLY TESTED
The Board Of Health De-
cides on a Thorough
Investigation.
If the Gas Is Poisonous the
Authorities Desire to Know
It at Once.
DR.. SusSdOrf of the City and County
Hospital Says That He Is Short
of Money.

The Board of Health took steps at its
meeting yesterday to investigate the
quality of the Illuminating gas used in
this city, and 20 ascertain whether it is
more poisonous than the gas used in other
cities. The inquiry was started by the
large mum Der OF deaths that have occurred
during the past few years from inhaling
the tunes of the gas either through ac-
cident or design.
DR.. Hart was the prime mover in the
matter, and advocated the passage of the
following resolutions:
WHEREAS, Public attention has recently
been directed to the large mum Der of deaths
occurring from asphyXiation by gas and
subsequent stigation by the Coroner of
this city and county and by others have
developed facts tending TO show that the
Illuminating gas now in use in this city,
owing 10 its impure and poisonous condition
is largely responsible for so many fatalities in
cases where persons, by accident or otherwise
have been overcome by its deadly fumes,
therefore be it
ReS0Ired. That the chemist of this board is
hereby directed 10 at once begin such an in
vestigatioa, by analysis or otherwise, as will
inform this board of the true constituents of
the gas being consumed by the citizens OF this
city and county that we may be able to deter
mine whether il is of such nature as to be
dangerous TO public health, and TO report the
results OF inVeSuga t1On at the next regular
meeting, ana lOr the purpose OF aScertat ming
the power OF the Board OF Health in abating
or regulating such menace 10 pubic health
be il further
RcsolUed, That the attorney OF the Board of
Health be requested 70 advise the board of the
legal steps necessary 10 be taken TO prevent
further use OF the gas in the event il is found
TO be dangerous 10 health ana life.
The resolution was adopted and also
another lnstructing the chemist of the
board to make tests of Illuminating gas
at least once a month to ascertain whether
or not it is deleterious to the public
health.
The sum of $50 was appropriated for the
expense OF the chemist in making the
tests.
Dr. Sussdorf. Superintendent of the
City and County HosT Tital, rendered his
first report IN which he called attention TO
the deplorable condition OF the hospital
and stated that further funds must be pro.
vided before The institution could be con-
sidered TO be in decent condition. 4 por-
tion OF his report was as follows:
II is impossible 10 keep he hospital expendt.
lures within the provisions Of the one-twelftI
act At the preseat time the patients cannol
be decenuy cared for, becRuae of a lack ol
funds. During the months OF January, Feb
rusry and March matters will OF necessity be
in a more deplorGble state, owing to the fact
that many additional patients will be re-
celYed and the expenses greatly increased. Al
least $4,000 in addition TO the present appro
priatlon viii be necessary TO carry on the IN.
stitution for the next three months.
1t was resolved to communicate with
the Board of Supervisors ana see whethe
or not an extra appropriation cannot be
obtained.