The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-07-04
WATCHING THE cITY's HEALTH.
The Work of DIR. LeHardy's Depart
ment for June.

/ The Work of DIR. LeHardy's Depart
ment for June.
Health officer LeHardy Is not discour-
aged by the recent rebufs which he has
received from official sources, where he
\ had expected sympathy and cooperation
in his work, Notwithstanding that he finds
! that he has very little ground to stand
upon in the way of authority to enforce
! the sanitary precautions which are nee
essary to the preservation of the health
of the city at this period of the year.
He feels however, that the failure of his
| official associates to give him the support
to which he believes he is entitled puts
him in a false position and he will prob
ably make statement TO the public at
an early date. giving his views Of certain
recent occurrences.
In giving brief summary of his work
for the month just ended, DR.. LeHardy
said yesterday:
THE month of June having been a very
hot one. and July giving no let-up, the
health officer is giving all the attention he
can to sanitary matters, and wherever he
can secure the cooperation of citizens in
the removal of Objectionable material, he
has done so from one end of the city to
the other. one of the most frequent
causes of complaint Is the insuperable
stencil caused by the fermentation of the
contents of vaults. Finding the process
of securing their cleaning a very arduouS
one, and that the disinfectant used by
the city affords no relief, or a very brief
one, he has advised persons who are will
ling TO do so to cover the contents of the
vault with clean dirt, to the thickness of
one and half inches. This removes the
odor at once and checks fermentation, once
done. A shovelful of dirt placed once or
twice a week over the exposed contents
will prevent further annoyance.
our inspection of all the green groceries
was made in the early part of the week,
which showed that much improvement
had been made of late in these places The
meats, in all but two places, were kept
separate from the Iivers. and in the great
majority Of places were kept from contact
with the ice.
"Our examination of churches and sur
rounding grounds was made, and 1 am
proud to say, were all reported In good
sanitary condition, and the means of ven
tiation through windows all that could
be desired for the summer months, when
they can be kept open.
considering it Of Importance to have
all the school buildings and grounds kept
in a sanitary condition during the heated
term, and While the buildings were not in
use, ! addressed a request to make inspec-
ton to Mr.. Otis Ashmore. the superin-
tendent of our public schools, and receiv-
ed together with the permit to examine
every school building and grounds, the
following letter:
Savannah, Ca, July !, 1s97-Dr ]. c. Le-
Hardy, Health Officer. Savannah, Ga: My
Dear Sir-Enclosed please find an order
which will admit you or any of your In
spectors into the public school buildings
of this city.
l shall be always glad to cooperate with
you in any of your official duties. Dur
ing the vacation we win probably make
some improvements In the sanitary con-
dition of some of our schools but our
meager appropriation will not permit us,
fear. to do all we wish to do. Very re-
spectfully, Otis Ashmore,
Superintendent Schools.
"A man of advanced ideas, such as is
out able superintendent, earnest in his
work, fully appreciates the great import
ance of the hygienic construction of Duild-
ings and grounds-where so many souls
are congregated. Not only is he willing
to receive criticisms but is most anxious
to carry out Improvement. in ventilation,
lighting Of room, increasing of breathing
space as far as he may be allowed by the
funds placed at his disSosal for the pur-
pose, and himself points defects In sani-
tary arrangements. which he has urged
upon the authorities to improve.
Il shall at some future time make some
remarks upon our public schools in rela-
ton to their hygiene"