The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-03-30

A very important meeting of the
board of health was held last night, at
which the edict was issued that all
This is not because of any smallpox
scare threatening the community, but
simply a precautionary step.
Another important measure was
adopted requiring all physicians in the
city to report all cases of tuberculosis
consumption that come under their
notice. In this way it will be definitely
determined whether our climate is con-
ducive to spread of this dreaded NAL
ady.
The members of the board in attend
ance were Mayor Glendinning, Health
Commissioner DalDy, DR.. Fisher and
the boards clerk, Mr.. POLAND. Plumb
ing Inspector Myles w"s also present.
The first business tine before the
meeting was the COLI, 'crat'.-- of sew
erai applications for sewer COM ,ectionS-
Colonel George B. Squires was -nere TO
say that he desired to dispose of some
of his property within the next few
DAYS and in such event asked that the
order to connect be held in allegiance
for a few days. The genial colonel has
the reputation of getting great many
things he asks for, and this was no eX-
ception to the general rule; the request
was granted.
The Wire case came in for some con-
sideration through the receipt of an
opinion from County Attorney van Colt
to whom was referred the resolution
adopted at a recent joint meeting of
the board and the Salt Lake County
Medical society. The resolution, 1t VIII
be remembered, called upon the proper
officials to prosecute Sergeant Wire on
a charge of manslaughter for refusing
to summon medical aid when his two
children were down with diphtheria-
NOT SUFFICIENT GROUNDS.
Mr.. Van Colt. in his opinion, says he
does not think the grounds are sutfl-
Gent to warrant the institution or
criminal proceedings against the police
sergeant.
A request for an opinion was also di-
Bected to City Attorney Mckay, but so
far no answer has been received no
doubt on account of the Bowman case,
which has kept the city's legal repre-
sentatives busy for weeks past
The next matter to come up was the
vaccination of school children. Both
the health commissioner and Dr.
Fisher agreed that it was necessary
precaution. If small poX should make
its appearance it would under present
conditions sweep over the city like nre
on a Dakota prairie. The rule is one
enforced in all other cities or less pre-
tensions than Salt Lake. The mayor
agreed and the order was made. 1t is
to be determined by the city attorney
whether the board of health has power
to enforce this regulation or whether
it is necessary to have the city coun-
Gil take the necessary steps. In the
latter event the matter will probably
come up at tonight'S meeting of the
city fathers.
MUST REPORT CONSERVATIVES.
The action taken concerning the
matter of having physicians report to
the department all cases of consump-
ton occurring in their practice is best
explained in the following circular let
ter which will be sent to all the physi- ]
clans in the city:
Dear Doctor-You are aware that
is strictly contagious
disease and can be prevented providing |
the proper sanitary regulations be |
adopted. Therefore, after April l. 1897, |
the health department, in the interest
of public safety, demands that all i
cases of pulmonary tuberculosis ICON
occurring in your practice |
be reported to this office, whereupon a |
circular of instructions will be sent to /
the family or those in charge of such /
patients with the object of leSsening |
and preventing the spread of this dire |
Whenever the diagnosis as to the |
existence of the disease is in doubt |
you are most respectfully requested to /
submit to the meteorological bureau of |
this department the sputum of such !
cases for a archaeological test. which /
will be made free of charge. The re-
port of this examination will be sent
to you by mail.
This method of dealing with this
dreaded disease is working satisfactor
lily in other cities, nearly every town of
prominence having adopted it. As a
medium of ascertaining what effect
our climate has upon tuberculosis it
will be of great value and gradually as
people are beginning to realize that
good sanitary regulations make up the
for good health. contagious
and infectious diseases will not be so
prevalent.
At the present time the city is in
very healthy condition. Diphtheria
has been eradicated and there is but
)ne case of scarlet fever known to the
department.. There has not been a ty-
ohoid fever case for several weeks.
'act which speaks well for the eff
,iency of the health authorities.