Gloucester County Democrat. (Woodbury, N.J.) 1878-1932, 1898-07-28
Associated Hea,th Roare,a.

l
very large, the gathering proved an inter
estiDg one. This was tho ending of the
first years existence of the society, which
has had some what of an uphill time of it,
but there are much brighter prospects
ahead, and the members start the second
year determined to reap still greater bene
| fits
Secretary Parker read his report for the
| year, which is published in full
We are just one year old, in our second summer,
and dreaded dog days just beginning We date our
| beginning from June 2lst. 1897. We started in a
fra condition but showed reasonable signs of life.
DR.. Crowther, of Chester Pa, President of a like
Society in Delaware county, Pa, was present and
gave us words of cheer and warning.
On July 18th, we were named aud thirteen men,
bers present and listened to good add -ess by
DR.. A. c. Hunt. State Sanitary Inspector. Fifteen
were present on August sOth, when the present
officers were elected and we settled down to busi-
ness. We were not very thrifty, q rather lukewarm
enthusiasm existed, but enough to encourage few
to go The cool, invigoratiug days of the fall
gave MS new life. We began to feel that we were
somebody. On Nov. 29sh we had seventeen MEM
bers press MT representing local Boards of Health
DR.. Mitchell Secretary of the State Board of HEALTH
and Dr. Rsvenel, of the University of Pennsylvania,
with us, each giving instructive information
We felt extta good We had good meeting, quite
enthusiastic and many regrets were expressed that
we did not have with us every member from the
Boards Of Health in the county. We felt SO good
that outdd ourselves, disobeyed rules and called
another meeting in two months instead of three.
We next met January 2lst. We did not count on
such day. 1t showed all day and it was very dis
boards, present, together with several citizens
of Woodbury..
Notwithstanding the weather and dscour aging
prospect we had live meeting aud interesting ad-
dresses by Henry B Francis, Plumbing Inspector of
Camden, and DIR. d. r. Streets, President of the
Board of Health of Bridgeton. On April 18th we
did even worse; the day was horrible, raining hard
most OF the lime Dr. Dudley, of the State Board Of
Health of Pennsylvania, gave excellent TAX
illustrated by charts. His talk was ghly instruc-
tive and Of great value Is the residents In country
districts, and teei safe in saying that every farmer
Wopio been amply repaid for tine lost if he had
been present.
In issuing the call for this meeting, invitations
have been confaed to members of local boards. No
set program has been prepar ed, thinking that con-
ference together, interchange of views and opin
ions might be of greater value for futurc work,
and wal IS and means suggested that will arouse
more active interest throughout the county. The
suggestion of cur President at the last meeting
should be brought to he attention of every Board of
Health, that of using some of the money for this
purpose that Boards of Health entitled to under
the State law. Improved sanitation is becoming a
factor in our every day experience; much skill,
thought and money is being expended further and
perfect it.
1t will be very necessary in few year,; is really
necessary now. The comfort and health of the
whole community depends upon it, and tho public
will be awake TO this fact and the members of
Boards of Health will be expected TO act and act
promptly, and before that we must be educated for
the task and be ready TO meet any emergency. We
cannot expect to do as we have done. To be
member of Board of Health will be no snecure,
but factor in every munich pal government. dis
regard of these rules and the wanton ignorance of
the residents is now causing the dealh of many of
our young men in the slums of Cuba, and if it were
not for the vice provisions made by cur national
sanitary corps many more would meet like fate
and Thousand more die fitm The cruel ignorance of
public officials and murderous law bro akers than
from the bullets from the Mauser rifle 10 the hands
of The Spanish soldier. A whole community arises
il arms when one worthless william strikes out the
life of another equally worthless in drunken brawl,
but we all stand hack in dumb silence and permit
disease and disease germs to be hurled at US from
every side, many times carrying fl cur beloved
ones, and devastating our families right under
eyes, and nothing is done to stay the attack.
We supply our towns with policemen. We keep
watch dogs on farm TO keep away midnight in
trnders. that already protected against by locks
and bolts, but we do not provide means TO ward off
these terrible pests who not for bolts and tho-
oughly ignore the presence of police or dog.
We all surrounded by wicked foes, and ten
thousand graves receive annually in New Jersey
victims from what known preyeutabIe dis
eases. The horrors of war appan us, yet the naval
battle at Santiago only cost one life for us.
My apology for SO long report is the interest
have in the cause and feel we as an organization,
can do great deal TO better the conditions that
exist We have the honor of being the first county
in the State to undertake such an organization as
this. Let us SO improve ourselves that we can have
the healthicst county in the State.
If we can, why will we not be better, for we win
have greater pleasure and comfort and property
will advance for people will seek healthy locality
Why will this not affect rural districts well
our thickly settled communities
President Halsey thought that every
township should pay it's quota toward keep
ing up the organization, and that his Mon
roe) wac ready to send it's share.
The county was divided into districts of
three to~nships each ard members delegated
to canvass and get the different health
boards interested
Woodbury. and Harrison were reported
free from Contagious diseases, and Monroe
has had an epidemic OF measles and
whooping cough, the latter prevailing to
some extent at present.
DR.. Parker read an abstract from the
State Board of Health's report showing that
Gloucester county was away behind in vac
cination. This sutjsct was discussed at
lepg'h.
In an effort to get an increased interest in
the work it was decided to hold the meet
ings at different places ard MuIlica Hill
was selected.
These officers were elected for the ensuiDg
year: President, DIR. L. M. Halsey; Vice
President, James Hunter, Jf.; Secretary and
Treasurer, DR.. T. E Parker.