The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1898-04-27
MEETING OF THE
BOARDS OF HEALTH
Held Yesterday 10 the Board Of Health
Rooms, City Hall.
NEW OFFICERS WERE CHOSEN

They were Discussed by several OF
Those Present--Moetin Scheduled
for the Evening Was Not Held be-
cause ofthe Absence ora Quorum.
Delegates from the several boards Of
health of Scranton and surrounding
towns met yesterday afternoon in
the board of health rooms,
City hall, in the Sixth semi-annual
session as the Associated Board of
Health of Lackawanna county. 1t was
the intention to have an evening ses-
sion but quorum did not
materialize. President f. F. Van Sic
kle, NJ. D., of Olyphant, presided in the
afternoon, and in addition to the
various reports of officers and commit
tees interesting papers were read upon
Treatment for the Prevention of Dip
iberia" by DR.. John c. Price, of Dalton;
and Importance of Pure Milk Sup
ply" by Albert II. Welles, NJ. A., chem
ist. General discussion followed
The question box also contained the
following questions: What is the pro-
per method of cleaning and fumigat-
ing a house after a contagious dis
ses." Should leeching cesspools be pro-
hbited by ordinance in the boroughs?'
and What can be done to increase the
interest in and efficacy of boards of
health?"
Owing to n delay in assembling, the
session did not come to order until 2.i5
o'clock. The president opened with
few general remarks concerning the
associated boards. He stated that al
though the organization had been made
for experiment that stage was now pas
sed and they were on firm and useful
basis, He hoped that added interest
along practical lines would manifest
itself. The advantage of such an easy
opportunity to cooperate should not be
lost sight.
MORE INTEREST NECESSARY.
lie then called attention to two
things which especially needed atten-
tiOn. The apathy of local boards should
be abolished or their usefulness would
be sadly handicapped. The failure OF
practicirE mid-wives in certain local
tiles, to report births was open to ac-
tion and was an evasion of the law
which should be looked after. DIR. Van
Sickle concluded his address with a
suggestion that despite the stumbling
block of finance, the good work should
| he continued SO far as possible, that
the la Dor of today would be stepping
stone to better sanitary methods here
| after.
For the various boards the following
| delegates reported: DR.. J. r. Murphy,
Dunmore: DR.. c. NJ. Hathaway, Blake
| Iy; Dr. w. A. Paine, Scranton; D. w.
| Brown, Dalton; Frank Dalls, Wintor.
| and Dr. y. +. Evans, Olyphant. All
| had good reports to make, though in
several instances lack of funds and OPP
position of councils hampered the work
| of the board
Dr. j. r. Murphy. as chairman of the
| executive committee reported progress.
| As chairman Of the legislative COM
| mittee, Dr. w. A. Paine said that
nothing had come before the committee
| but suggested that in view of the near
| approach of the ConveninC of the state
| board of health, the members should
| look around and if there was anything
| needing legislation it could he brought
| to the attention of the state board
| then No reports were made from the
| sanitary and publication committees.
| The paper read by Professor Welles.
| who is a member of the High school
| faculty. proved very instructive and in
| tcrcsting. 1t dealt with importance
of Pure Milk supply" He first re-
| viewed the source. composition and uses
of this article of diet. He then showed
! the great nece essity of having it pure
and guarding against danger of infec-
| ton of diseases through the impurity
| Of milk. Concluding the professor Of
| fered several valuable suggestions \
/ Il, coll
animcus vote of thanks was extended
| the professor. 1t was agreed to have
the manuscript published in pamphlet
form for distribution.
PAPER ON DIPTHERIA.
DR.. John C. Price submitted a val
liable article upon the Treatment for
the Prevention of Diptheria." He advo-
Gated the use of Anti-TOxine and con-
sdcred that it was best given by way
of the mouth than ny injection if given
before infection had taken place The
| discussion which followed was equally
| interesting.
| The question of what is the. proper
method of cleaning and fumigating a
| house after a contagious disease" was
| assigned to DIR. +. s. Van Sickle, Of
! Olyphant, to answer, which he did in
an able and intelligent manner David
| w. Brown answered the question of
| should leeching cess pools be prohihi-
ted by ordinance in boroughs?" His
! remarks were general and he asked
that committee of three be appointed
| to treat the subject more definitely and
| report at the next session.
The following were nominated and
elected for the ensuing term: Presi-
dert, DIR. W. A. Paine, Scranton; vice
president, Dr. j. r, Murphy, Dunmore;
secretary and treasurer Professor A
| II Welles, Scranton: executive com
mittee, Or. l. Wehlau, Scranton; DR.
c. NJ Hathaway, Blakely. DR., ]. c.
Bateson. Scranton; DR.. ]. w. Houser
Taylor: DR.. +. l.. Van Sickle, Olyphant
Secretary and Treasurer David Brown
made his report for the past six months
| which shows that the association
boards finances are non est at present
Those present were: Dr. f. J.. Var
Sickle, of Olyphant: David w. Brown
Dalton; DR.. c. NJ Hathaway, Blakely
Dr. 4. r. Grams, Olyphant; DIR. j. r
Murphy Dunmore; j. +. LOTUS Franl
, Dolls. John Mullaney, Winton; DIR. w
, ~ Paine, DIR. w. A. Heath, and DR.
j. c. Bateson, Scranton.
IN THE EVENING.
II There was to be another ses
sion in the evening at whicl
several interesting papers wer
read, but a quorum did not materiallze
Among the absentees were the outgoin,
president DR. Van Sickle and the new
J president DIR. Paine. After waiting un
til o'clock those who assembled de