The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1897-03-27
THE HEALTH
BOARD MEETS !
It Disputes the Power of Council on
Reports.
DR.. SPALDlNG PRESENTS CHARGES.
Says Some Doctors Don't Report Diseases
Under Proper Names and Urges Pro-
secutions-A Special Meeting
Fixed to Hear Two Ply
sicians in Reply.

The Board Of Health last night held its
FIRST regular meeting in two months, one
session having been omitted on account of
the inability to secure quorum. On account
of the repairs being made to the Council
chamber the Board met at the residence of
President Spalding, at his home on South
White street. The members in attendance
were Messrs. Spalding Holman, Malone and
Morrison.
The meeting was Of dry routine order
until Secretary Curtin read a letter from the
secretary Of the Borough Council, notifying
the Board that Council declined TO receive
the annual report unless the Board would
eliminate from it the reference 10 the Flynn
case.
Messrs, spalding and Malone were of the
opinion that the Board Of Health was indie
pendent of the Borough Council and had
powers and rights in making its reports with
which the Council could not interfere. Presi-
dent Spalding also spoke at some length on
the Flynn case and said he was convinced
that the borough was in fault in the matter
and he was not prepared to take a backward
step.
Mr., Holman said it would be unfortunate
to have unpleasant relations existing between
the Board and Council
Mr.. Morrison did not agree with DR..
Spalding and declared that he still main
tanned the view he held from the first, that
the Board of Health had not done its duty
in the Flynn case and was more responsible
for the condition of affairs than Council
At this point the discussion was dropped
and the President directed the reading of
other communications.
Another interesting part of the meeting
was that in which Presideno Spalding made
an attack on some Of the ph-sicians of town
and charged them in violating the rules of
the Board in the competition for business.
He said that the Polish people have great OBJ
lection to the placarding aud guaranteeing
of communicable diseases and it is very hard
| for physicians to labor with this class
of people. He added that he had reason to
believe that some members of the medical
profession in town are disposed to yield to
these people and smother cases that ought to
be reported to the Board. He urged that
action be taken against these physicians as
soon as possible and said Drs. c. S. Phillips
and j. Pierce Roberts were two of the
physicians he referred 20 To be more
specific he alleged that the Offending physi-
clans by being disposed TO give names to COM
| plants THAT would not require the placarding
of houses took business from physicians who
wanted to observe the rules and report dis
eases in their proper names lie also de-
clared that there have been cases where physi-
clans have pronounced complaints as being
communicable diseases and the physicians
have been Immediately discharged and other.
employed. Are you going to enforce the
law, or have the powers of the Board defed T
Mr.. Morrison suggested that the doctors be
notified to appear before the Board
DR.. Spaldng said that would do no good
as the offending physicians know they hav,
violated the laws He suggested that th,
Health officer be instructed to sue and thei
let the physicians prove their innocence. II,
read the law which provides that physician
falling TO report communicable diseases ar,
subject to fine of not less than S. and nc
more than 500, and in default of payment
imprisonment for not more than go days.
Mr. Holman thought the doctors ought t.
have hearing before the Board.
1t was finally decided that a special meet
ing of the Board be held next Tuesday even
ing, at 1880 o'clock, and that Drs. Phillip
and Roberts be notified to appear.
The epidemic report showed there were 2
cases of communicable diseases during tn
month ending February 27th and 12 cases 70
the month ending March 26th.
The report on neurology showed 80 death
and still births for the month ending Feb
ruary 20th and 81 deaths and still births 70
the month ending March Goth.
Health officer Conry read his report 70
the two months ending on the goth inst.
showing that he abated thirteen cases O
nuisances during that period.
A bill of William Sadusld for Sl2 70
watchmap services in keeping people from
house in which diphtheria existed was ac
cepted
1t was decided to ask the Borough Counci
for an appropriation Of $1,000 for the mex
ensuing year.